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# Powerful words?
- URL: https://katecarruthers.com/powerful-words/
- Published: 2009-02-18T03:38:27.000Z
- Updated: 2009-02-18T03:38:27.000Z
- Author: Kate Carruthers
- Tags: ideas, poetry, #Migrated-1775015344493, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-04-01 14:49

While re-reading this poem I began to consider just how much power those words have in my life - may, might, should, could, would, must. How many times have I said "blah blah should have ..." or something similar?

It is words like this that are invisible forces creating pressure in my life. Instead of either doing or not doing, these words put me into a place where I live in the past or the future but not in the present.

But the real question is what will I do now? First step is to stop dwelling on the past - out go "should have", "could have" and "would have". The second step is to stop living in the future, so out go "may", "might" and "must".

Now I will do some things and not do others - that's it. After all every moment is a chance to make a new choice, and I choose not to be like Effie.

> stooping by the coffinlid  
> waiting for something to rise  
> as the other somethings did-  
> you imagine his surprise  
>  
> bellowing through the general noise  
> Where is Effie who was dead?  
> \-to God in a tiny voice,  
> i am may the first crumb said  
>  
> whereupon its fellow five  
> crumbs chuckled as if they were alive  
> and number two took up the song  
> might i'm called and did no wrong  
>  
> cried the third crumb, i am should  
> and this is my little sister could  
> with our big brother who is would  
> don't punish us for we were good;  
>  
> and the last crumb with some shame  
> whispered unto God, my name  
> is must and with the others i've  
> been Effie who isn't alive  
>  
> just imagine it I say  
> God amid a monstrous din  
> watch your step and follow me  
> stooping by Effie's little, in  
>  
> (want a match or can you see?)  
> which the six subjective crumbs  
> twitch like mutilated thumbs;  
> picture His peering biggest whey  
>  
> coloured face on which a frown  
> puzzles, but I know the way-  
> (nervously Whose eyes approve  
> the blessed while His ears are crammed  
>  
> with the strenuous music of  
> the innumerable capering damned)  
> \-staring wildly up and down  
> the here we are now judgment day  
>  
> cross the threshold have no dread  
> lift the sheet back in this way  
> here is little Effie's head  
> whose brains are made of gingerbread  
>  
> ee cummings