Sharp Words

A saying, when mild, can turn away rage,
But when not,
Can cause it to grow, to fester, to age.
And when it grows it does not stop.
It's not just a bump;
It's a boil, a lump.
It's itchy and painful, but it will not pop.
A lump filled with vitriolic words
And for it, there is no ointment,
no medicine, no cure.
Contagious, it spreads to all you know and love.
Soon all the people you care about
are also in pain;
Hateful, vicious, spiteful, smug.
It becomes a pandemic.
It consumes the whole town, state, country, and wide world round.

All could've been prevented
by one gentle word.
Season your words with salt-
not curry or paprika.
And all you say will somehow be sweeter.
They will not cause any harm or discomfort.
No lumps or boils will ever appear,
And the ones you love won't live in fear
of talking to you or getting close;
All will be as intended, supposed.

5/10/10 EF