The Tongue

If our troubles looked like burdens,
Our pain as bloody wounds,
Our struggles, fears, and worries
Were bruises, stripes, and runes;
Would our sympathy be greater?
Our gentleness grow deep?
If we saw what makes one stagger
And makes the steps grow steep?

If pain could cause an injury,
If words cut like a knife,
If we could see the ragged flesh,
The slowly ebbing life –
Would we choose our tone more gently?
Would we think before we speak?
Would we show more love and kindness?
More hands to help the weak?

If our inner pain and sorrow
Played out upon our skin,
Would we treat each other different,
Then how we’ve always been?
Why would the sight of bruises,
Of cuts and blood and gore,
Be what it takes to get us
To love our neighbor more?

To the KING be all glory!

– – –

Can’t anyone see the sword that lies
So easily within their grasp?
Don’t they realize just how often,
They unsheathe and quickly clasp?

Can’t they see the blood run down
From the hearts they nimbly shred?
Instead, they sharpen blade and steel,
And plunge again instead.

Can’t they see the falling tears
That run from lid to cheek?
Instead, they wipe their blade again,
Admiring the shape so sleek.

Can’t they see the shoulders bow –
Know the searing they inflict?
Instead, they simply seem to see
Another victorious conflict.

Can’t they see – oh! can’t they see? –
The hidden, ripping pain?
When they unsheathe their tongue – their sword!
And thrust it in again!

They rip and tear, hack and saw
Without a thought or taking heed;
If only, in their bringing down,
They might happily succeed.

Don’t they realize – don’t they see? –
That they have gone too far?
There is a time to use their sword –
But in love, not just to mar!

There is a better purpose for
This intrinsic work of steel.
There are times to cause a wound,
But, oh! so many times to heal!

To help to stitch the heart in shreds
And assist to dry saddened tears;
To strengthen shoulders, easing pain,
And praying during aches and fears.

To use our swords, in love and wisdom,
Daily – can not we strive and pray?
Wounding in love, but healing more,
As we go from day to day.

There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of the sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18

To the KING be all the glory!

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If Our Troubles Looked Like Burdens…

~Tongue of Steel