It’s not so much what you say
As the manner in which you say it;
It’s not so much the language you use
As the tone in which you convey it.
“Come here!” I sharply said,
And the child cowered and wept.
“Come here,” I said–
He looked and smiled
and straight to my lap he crept.
Words may be mild and fair
But the tone may pierce like a dart;
Words may be soft as summer air
But the tone may break my heart;
For words come from the mind
Grow by study and art–
But tone leaps from the inner self,
Revealing the state of the heart.
Whether you know it or not,
Whether you mean or care,
Gentleness, kindness, love, and hate,
Envy, anger, are there.
Then, would you quarrels avoid
And peace and love rejoice?
Keep anger not only out of your words–
Keep it out of your voice.
I know this is a poem about the spoken voice, but editors often talk about a writer’s “voice”. That voice can be caring, confronting, gentle, sarcastic, or cynical. Not bad advice for watching the tones of written words as well as the spoken ones. KK
I hope you will visit my website. There are lots of inspirational Christian articles and short stories (some published – some not but all original. While there won’t you please sign my guest book! Thanks – KK
