My Tongue

Early this morning I got out of bed
What was that horrible thing that I said?

Early this morning I got out of bed
What was that horrible thing that I said?
Someone was hopeless, would never achieve
Were those wet tears that I saw on his sleeve?

What were the words that I chirped out at tea
Some funny comment for poor, slow Annie
You are a snail we must wait for your crawl
Was that a sigh?

Was it at lunch that I said is it fair
Neighbours have so much and still more to spare
Was it a hurt that I saw in Dad’s eyes
Who tries so hard all our needs to supply?

I said this morning with ironing piled high
Why should I do it, why bother and try
Did I see mother with shoulders more bent
Was it my comment that to that slouch lent?

Was I impatient when granny had told
Stories of youth that we’d heard hundredfold
Did I break in in the middle of one
Saying there’s something that’s got to be done

Was it a fragile look deep in her eyes
Was it a hurt my quick comment surprised
Should she be feeling a burden to-day
Because my tongue made her feel in that way?

Lord, what destruction has come from my tongue
Wil’t Thou forgive all the things that I’ve done?
Cleanse me from sin as I yield it to Thee
Only blessing, dear Lord, let it be.

Jenny Daniel