The Reach of Speech

Click on image to enlarge...

H-m-m, so many to choose from...how will we arrange them and what will they say?

It is a privilege to share

This air, a common thoroughfare

Where we lay bare our thought with word

That once released can’t be returned

How fast past lips its passions course

The tongue, a small and mighty force

Is like a potent, pocket- sword

Its flash the quick of uttered word

The reach of speech is long and deep

A corridor we cannot sweep

Where both rage and apology

Can stun a page we cannot see

We should be careful as we touch

The silence with thought’s noisy brush

For words, uncensored and swift-tossed

Carry within their freedom, cost

© Janet Martin

 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. James 3:5

I'm sure we've all wished we could retrieve words spoken too hastily...

The two-room country-school I attended as a child had this word-test hung above the door;

Before you speak, think;

Is it necessary?

Is it true?

is it kind?