Two Ears, One Mouth

Maybe this year if everyone vowed to listen twice as much as they talked, the world would be a better place.  I think my biggest pet peeves are dishonesty and the perpetuation of gossip.

Taming the Tongue

Though small like a spark, the tongue of a liar,

Can engulf a situation like a raging fire,

There is a mighty sword in the wielding of the tongue,

Hurtful words are piercing like darts that are flung,

The tongue though small, is a powerful tool,

Excessive talking can prove someone a fool,

Open mouth, insert foot, a common mistake,

Kind words are ones that will never forsake,

Use words for building up and never tearing down,

Keep your head above water, mouth closed, lest you drown,

Speak in haste and the damage is already done,

Use your ears, not your voice, and half the battle is won,

The untamed tongue causes malice to spread,

If you need to bite your tongue, then go ahead,

Arguing, insulting, cursing words are inept,

If you want to see where your allegiance is kept,

Look no further than what spews from your lips,

Sarcasm and jokes are not only quips,

Sometimes they too are daggers that jab and destroy,

Social media is misused to purposefully annoy,

Hiding in cyberspace like a fugitive on the run,

A hater with words can fire shots like a gun,

And no one can see him or hold him accountable,

His words could go viral, His fame insurmountable,

Rumors, lies, deceit and the perpetuation of these,

Are hard to eradicate, like a cancerous disease,

Healing words of comfort, genuinely spoken,

Are a honeycomb of goodness, not just a polite token.

Tammy Harvey

Written:  11/6/2018