October 25th

“I tell you, on the day of judgement you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter;” Matthew 12:36

if only
those hurtful words
spoken with spite toward
the ones we loved
were inattentive.
if only
those angry words
we gathered up like rocks

and put in the slings
of our tongues to hurl
at those we despised
were impetuous.
if only
those judgmental words
we handed down from
the high court of
self-righteous indignation
were irresponsible.
so
when the day of days
finally comes and we
become tongue-tied,
may it be your word of
grace
which makes all the difference.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman