I said something today that I shouldn’t have said,
And I wish I could take it back.
But the words now are gone, and the damage is done:
I was hit by a tongue attack.

The words I let slip from my two lips today
Was just a foolish wisecrack.
But it made someone sad--a good friend a I had--
Oh, that terrible tongue attack!

I heard something today that I wish I’d not heard:
I guess you could call it feedback.
It caused me great pain when I heard it again:
Serves me right for my tongue attack!

I’ve said something today that I’m glad I have said.
My tongue helped me get my friend back.
I confessed my regret that I’d caused her to fret:
“I’m ashamed of my tongue attack.”

“Oh Lord, set a watch on my mouth now today;
Give me wisdom, for this I do lack.
May the words that I say be guided I pray.
Keep me, please, from a tongue attack.”

Psalm 141:3 “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”

© Helen Dowd.

See: Unmarked Poison