I lost a word yesterday,
Unguarded, from my tongue;
It slipped into the atmosphere –
Then trouble had begun.

A dozen others followed it;
They filled the room with grief,
No matter then what word was said,
It could not bring relief.

If only I had stopped that word
Before it crossed my lips,
My day had been a happy one –
And sweet with fellowships.

I think I wasted yesterday,
Hurt self as well as friend,
Today I want to watch my words,
And let not one offend.

Gertrude McDaniel – Quoted from Cybersalt.org email list