WORDS OF LIFE (poem) by John Michael Domino on AuthorsDen

WORDS OF LIFE
by John Michael Domino → (All Poetry by John Michael Domino)
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I recall feeling pretty isolated when I was a kid. People were not always so kind. The words they said cut like a knife. I wish they didn't but they did. There is a story behind this poem in which I can relate.

WORDS of LIFE Words can make you sick Words can make you cry Words can make you happy Words can make you go “good- bye” Words can change a life Words can change a mind Words can change sad to glad Words can make you cruel or kind Words can be powerful Words can be tough Words can be good for encouragement Words of encouragement can make all the difference when the going gets rough! Amen © 2013, John Michael Domino (Please read the inspirational story below) CBS News COLUMBIA, Md. - Words have power. They can tear a person down, or build someone back up -- as we found on the road in Columbia, Maryland Don't let the light fool you. Inside this home -- and too many others like it in America - it can get pretty dark. "There are a lot of kids out there that suffer depression and anxiety," said seventh-grader Noah Brocklebank. And not many are willing to talk about it on national television. "Not many are willing to talk about it, period," said Noah. Noah is okay with people calling him depressed -- mainly because, over the past couple years, he's been called worse. "Like 'fat,' 'ugly,' 'annoying,' 'loser,'" he recalled. "The saying 'Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me' -- I really don't think that applies." Noah's mother Karen says the bullying, combined with his underlying depression, ultimately led to the night of January 26. "It's so scary," said Karen Brocklebank. "You just want to save him." That night, her son posted a clear warning on the Internet -- a picture of his arm all cut up and a note that read: "Day of scheduled suicide, February 8th, 2013, my birthday." It was to be his 13th birthday. "I just felt like everything was worthless," said Noah. "My life was terrible. I had no one." After that, Noah ended up in the hospital for eight days. And while he was in there, as his doctors assessed his mental health, his mother came up with a plan to improve his vision --- a plan for Noah to see more clearly how much he matters, how much he's loved, and that there really is life beyond seventh grade. So she asked some friends on Facebook to put all that in a letter. She was hoping for at least a couple responses. "But we got more than a couple," said Noah. What happened next is a remarkable testament to both the power of social media and the kindness of strangers. "I know it is hard to believe right now, but life gets better. I promise," Noah read from one letter. Noah has received thousands of letters from every continent on the planet, including Antarctica. The sheer volume alone has brightened up his home a million watts. "It has restored my faith in humanity. It really has," said Karen Brocklebank. As for how this changed him, Noah said: "I was focused on the bad side of the people, like the bullies. Then I realized there are caring people out there that can be my friends." Noah still has his good days and his bad. But now, whenever he does have one of those down days, he's got a pile of friends to turn to. "Yeah, I'm not going to be done reading my letters 'til I'm like your age," he told me. Looks like he's in for a long, long life. To write to Noah, visit lettersfornoah.com To contact On the Road, or to send us a story idea, e-mail us. © 2013 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Reviewed by E Phillips

Reviewed on March 15, 2013

You are sooo right. Just a few weil-chosen words can make all the difference in anyone's life--especially the kids. Thanks for the great reminder.

Reviewed by John Coppolella

Fabulous. I will post your poem/story link on my FB page. Wonderful, John!!!

Starman

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

When I was a kid, I accepted everybody at face value. I detested bullies and stopped them many times even though I was often much smaller and without any backup except my twin brother. In our neighborhood bullies were everywhere, but there were good kids too, and they became my friends while the bullies joined gangs and gradually became criminals.

It is sad that this kid has to resort to getting millions of �likes� on Facebook to feel like he is of any value. His value should start at home and with his friends, if he has any, and not with what the school or mean streets dish out.

I sense that he is obese. His mother should take full responsibility for how she is treating her child when she enables him to eat improperly and not get enough exercise. I know, her excuse is that she works too hard and doesn't have enough money to feed him right. My mother was under the same stress, but fed us well, and we never had an ounce of fat on our bodies. We weren't locked in, and vigorous play consumed most of our days when we weren't studying. In some cases, the TV, videogames, and the cell phone should be clearly restricted so that the child can get the physical exercise needed to grow up healthy and strong, rather than sitting on the computer reading all the wonderful notes from friendly, fleeting, Internet passersby.

Ron

Reviewed by Clarence Prince

Yes, it would very good if we would all use words to encourage others! Nice job, John!

Reviewed by Annabel Sheila

This made me cry...his story is like millions...and yet the stigma attached to depression continues...for those depressed I can understand why they feel the world is against them...I know all too well how terrible this disease is..Thank you for sharing this, John, it's filled with hope....

Anna

Reviewed by D Johnson

Fantastic story through the power of words...well done.
Cheers,
Dan

Reviewed by Teresa Walker

Thank you very much John for sharing this poem and story! I am so glad this child was given a second chance and hopefully he can help others from his own experience. God Bless you, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart, be pleasing in your sight, oh Lord my rock and my redeemer!! Psalm 19:14

In Him

Teresa Walker

Reviewed by Paul Berube

Words sure are powerful, John. Well done.