Forget what you have heard
On subject, predicate,
That these are merely words,
No detriment, nor benefit.

Not “sticks and stones “ these words,
Are so much more than just,
Nouns, adjectives and verbs,
Said in earnest or in jest.

They make a statement cogent,
Words have value and weight,
And in pressing moments,
Are a prison or escape.

We cry and we laugh,
At life and paragraphs,
In books that we have read,
And what has oft been said.

For worse or for better,
We submit to the letter,
Whether in law or in scripture,
Of events the predictor.

And we must be stricter,
Make words an elixir,
As if bought from a vendor,
We must always remember,

Silver-tongued men days past,
Set other mens hearts ablaze,
T’wards the good or evil task,
T’wards comfort or malaise.

So before you speak and,
Before pen and paper,
And before you click send,
Be certain don’t waver.

Let wisdom first abound,
But hold all men to account,
Let every phrase inspire,
Lift lowly heads up higher.

Here there is more power,
With every syllable,
For test and proving hour,
And days most difficult.
WBJS 7/10/22