Handle With Care

When was thought last given to the
power of your words?
No, not in poem, prose or lyric,
but in life,
as the words go tripping from your
tongue in the course of a day;
a moment,
a lifetime.

Ah, the power we wield,
as each thought gives way to
audible sound;
The power to heal,
hurt,
help,
alienate,
encourage,
humiliate,
support,
embarrass --
all given with little or no thought before allowing them
their breath-filled escape,
no time given to the remembrance that
each of us lives in our own solitary world with
its ever-shrinking periphery,
brought about by every event deemed personally ours,
accompanied by all the tensions and stress,
trickling down into every crack and crevasse.

Becoming deeply entrenched in our parts upon this stage,
It becomes easy to forget that each and every production is different --
as many stories as there are faces,
interests, beliefs, needs, desires,
no two the same.
Oftentimes blinded by ambition, enthusiasm,
the fleeting vision of success,
the devastation of failure,
joys, sorrows and heartbreak,
we become self-absorbed,
our minds tightly wrapped around all of that which impacts us,
but will mean very little to those with whom we interact --
nor should it,
for another can never wholly feel what we feel,
live what we live,
love what we love,
nor grant importance to that which we find important --
the expectation of which should never be imposed on another;
but rather, in all times remembering to look upon the
roads traveled by others with respect and attempted understanding,
expecting only from them, reciprocation.

So choose your words thoughtfully,
for unknown is how they will land upon the
ears of those to whom they are spoken;
nor at what point of hurt or healing their spirits may be,
and what effect their utterance may have once they
fall from our lips, taking on a life of their own,
remembering always the return from their offering will be
either appreciation or consequence;
A responsibility we all must bear.

Be continually mindful of the fragile power of your words,
for they reveal the character of your heart,
and the respect with which you show the hearts of others.

Words ...
a precious gift,
to bless or curse ....

You decide,
and handle with care.

Penned July 6, 2002

Copyright © S. Leigh Marin

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