Be Bold, But Remember: You Can Never Take it Back

Words.

Words have power.

Sharp thorns embedded

into flesh, emitting toxins,

slowly

draining

life.

I’ve learned to harness such power—

to topple kings and queens

with precisely aimed words.

But power is corrupting:

not only kings and queens,

but brothers and sisters

have fallen prey to my words.

“Turn evil to good.

Use words not to tear down,

but with them only build up.”

Such a beautiful image:

Pauline murderer to saint.

But weapons of death

aren’t easily wrought

into life.

So I sit

and I watch

and I listen

and I wait

and I pray

that I may be wise,

that when I open my mouth

and let forth tempered speech

I may only nick your fear or your pride.

And if I do stab your heart

it will not simply be to kill,

but rather aimed at a death

which makes way for new life.

So be careful when you ask

or allow me to speak;

words still hold their power,

and I'm still learning to be meek.