Poem 5- The Wonderful Words

by Mary O’Neill

 

Imagine a world without language. All humans speak at least one language. The words we speak bring out our thoughts. Read the following poem on words.
The Wonderful Words
Never let a thought shrivel and die

For want of a way to say it

For English is a wonderful game

And all of you can play it.

All that you do is match the words

To the brightest thoughts in your head

So that they come out clear and true

And handsomely groomed and fed—

For many of the loveliest things

Have never yet been said.
Words are the food and dress of thought

They give it its body and swing

And everyone’s longing today to hear

Some fresh and beautiful thing;

But only words can free a thought

From its prison behind your eyes

May be your mind is holding now

A marvellous new surprise!

 

Central Idea

Without language and appropriate use of words it is almost impossible to imagine the beautiful world. Words and the art of expression help to express thoughts.

Summary

The poet says that words are the vehicles of thoughts. Thoughts die if one does not know how to say it mannerly. So one should learn and stock words. To learn the style of expression is also compulsory.
The poet says that English is an interesting language so everybody should read or learn it. Appropriate words are required to express thoughts but words must match.
It will help you to express ideas clearly, beautifully and effectively. In lack of appropriate words many ideas are not expressed.
According to the poet, words act as food and dress of thought. They give wings. Everybody around the globe wishes to hear fresh and lovely ideas. Otherwise they’re imprisoned in the mind. Only words have power to sit thoughts free.

 

Textual Questions and Exercises

 

Q1. With your partner, complete the following sentences in your own words using the ideas in the poem.

Ans. (i) Do not let a thought shrivel and die because you could not find a way to say it.

(ii) English is a wonderful game with words that everyone can play.

(iii) One has to match the words to the brightest thoughts in the head.

(iv) Words are the food and dress of thought.

 

Q2. In groups of four, discuss the following lines and their meanings.

 (i) All that you do is match the words

To the brightest thoughts in your head

Ans. The poet says that English is a wonderful language and that in order to express our thoughts, we must put them into words.

(ii) For many of the loveliest things

Have never yet been said

Ans. The poet feels that one must use words to express the thoughts because many of the loveliest and sweetest things might never have been said till now. Many times people do not know how to say what they feel and the poet says that one must not let his thoughts die for he should put it in the best words and bring them forward as it could turn out to be one of the loveliest things.

 

(iii) And everyone’s longing today to hear

Some fresh and beautiful thing

Ans. The poet says that we keep on hearing the same thoughts that have been expressed before also. Therefore, everybody needs a change of thoughts. They are longing to hear some fresh and beautiful thing implying something new and different.

 

(iv) But only words can free a thought

From its prison behind your eyes

Ans. The poet says that when we look at something, our mind creates a thought. However, it stands lost behind our eyes as we do not put it into words and it does not gain its freedom. Therefore, the poet suggests for everyone to put those thoughts into words and give them expression, so that they do not die after staying bound in the prison behind our eyes.

 

Q3. Why is the poem named “The Wonderful Words”?

 And. Words are the food and dress of thoughts. Our thoughts can be expressed only through words. In the absence of proper words, we can’t say what we want. The poem tells us the secret of word power. So it is properly named.

 

Q4. Why do bright ideas often die?

 Ans. Bright ideas often die due to lack of vocabulary.

 

Q5. What do people want to listen and welcome?

 Ans. People want to listen to new ideas and new thoughts. They welcome something new.

 

Q6. What are imprisoned in the brains, why?

 Ans. Thoughts are imprisoned in the brain

 

Q7. How can you free you thoughts from your brain?

 Ans. We can free our thoughts from our mind by expressing them. We need words for that.

 

Q8. How can we express our thoughts?

 Ans.  We can express our thoughts through words.

 

Q9. What is Prison here?

 Ans. Brain is the Prison in which thoughts are imprisoned.