Before the Rainbow

The Tongue

15 The Tongue To look a person in the eyes Smile in his face And then pierce a dagger from Behind into his heart: That is what slandering does. You nurse and eliminate his fears, Trash his concerns as trite And so earn his complete trust Only to turn around and misrepresent Him to others, usually strangers To the victim who otherwise would Hold him in awe. They pass on Your vile stories about an innocent soul, They pass on your lies about a trusting Friend, brother, cousin, fellow man, On and on the damage of his portrait Spirals even to age-groups below his. Alas by God’s grace your audience, After all your calumny, meet your victim, Only to discover a soul far removed From your horrid tales even as your True character comes to the fore. It took years, but the Master Vindicated him. Slander is murder And so God rejuvenates the victim’s Portrait for God alone accords And only He can take life without Consequences. Learn then your lips Together to keep if your goal is slander. Above all learn humility 16 The much you think you know Is nothing in nature’s sandy shores Of wisdom. Learn humility For even your person is naught In the aisle of men. Always A far better there is in everything. The wise, even with Wisdom for a friend, Strive like the Master before Pilate to be. ...