In response to today’s (final) prompt of NaPoWriMo 2019: to write a minimalist poem. I always try to cut out “unnecessary” words from my work r.e Ezra Pound but minimalism is difficult for me because I fucking love words. One would argue that “fucking” is an unnecessary word in that sentence but it’s not: it’s important. Words are important. Words are all I have. Words are powerful. Words can do more damage than a sword can but can also right a lot of wrongs. This poem is a nod to the adage “the pen is mightier than the sword” and the notion that knife crime in London would decline if only we resolved our differences using words instead of blades.