The Vocabulary of Silence

I sit here with duct tape

Closing my mouth.

Thinking the thoughts

I’d normally say aloud.

I’ve recently learned

What to say and do.

And these teachings have brought out:

Faith is nothing new.

It takes courage, endurance,

Perseverance, and joy.—

I keep telling the devil

That his lies are all void.

If “the power of the tongue

Can bring life and death,”

Can’t we, that easily,

Get out of debt?

The “debt” that we owe

To the angels around us.

By saying what we ought

Instead of what may hurt us.

We need pay attention

To everything we say,

So we won’t hinder blessings

That are coming our way.

Let us encourage one another

To watch how we speak;

And let us be positive

Towards everything and person we meet.

I will give God glory

For every experience.

But first, I must learn

The vocabulary of silence.