We all know the saying, that ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’. But what does this really mean and why do we say it?

If we take up a sword to do battle with, we may have a very real impact upon someone, perhaps on more than one individual. We might be able to force our will upon another through the sheer force of our own physical strength, or the skill with which we wield the sword. We may be part of an historic moment, perhaps even part of a blade of cutting change. Or, we may celebrate a momentary victory, and then slip back into the obscurity of bygone ages.

As a writer, when we take pen in hand, we strike with our intellect and wit. We expose truth in a situation, uncover injustice, or entertain the masses. What we say, and the truth of our beliefs, takes root in the hearts and minds of many. It is there on paper as a record of our reflections, beliefs, and action taken. Our words can continue to win battles and make impressions on the hearts and minds of men well after our own demise and earthly journey into obscurity. We will continue to live in our ideas and in the language and emotion of our writing. Our very words and ideas will strike boldly against the silence of obscurity. Silence is a sign of acceptance and agreement. If we take issue, we must speak out. Our written voice can be louder and longer lasting than the loudest bellow of our living lungs. To write is to stand up and make a proclamation, share our thoughts, ideas and beliefs. It is to reach out with emotion, to offer guidance, to prick the conscience of another. To a writer, there is nothing so terrifying or inhumane as silence.

H.M. Peter Westin

Note: Carlos Fuentes Macías (November 11, 1928 – May 15, 2012) was a Mexican novelist and essayist. Among his works are The Death of Artemio Cruz (1962), Aura (1962), The Old Gringo (1985) and Christopher Unborn (1987). In his obituary, the New York Times described him as “one of the most admired writers in the Spanish-speaking world”.

The Cayman Writers Circle has an open membership to anyone interested in writing. They meet every Tuesday at 7pm at various locations. For more info email: [email protected]  and/or visit the website: http://caymanwriterscircle.blogspot.com/