People speak their words.

They stampede in herds,

right into the ears of the surrounding people.

There are phrases

that shine with praises

and never fade,

bursting like a parade through your thoughts.

That is-- they don’t fade

until someone’s words slice like a blade

through your mind,

adding to that daily grind.

Praises, compliments

turn into disgrace and disparagements

because you wanted to be funny.

Trust me,

there are other ways to be funny, honey.

We’ve all been there

making some rude comments about that girl’s hair.

Or snickering about that one guy’s beard.

And we didn’t care when they shrank and disappeared.

Did you ever think,

or stop to blink,

to witness the power of your words?

And yet we’ve all been the victim too.

When the jokester goes too far without a clue.

People are blind to their words affects.

That one sentence,

stored in my mind--

in your mind--

decaying and breaking, ripping apart

to turn into a kind of sick art.

Their words.

They change your own view--

of yourself, of your values,

staining your skull like a million tattoos.

Stop.

Now wait a minute.

What you say should have a limit.

Your words have power,

and we all know power comes with responsibility.

Everyone has their vulnerabilities.