Friday, January 07, 2011

Speak gently


Speak gently! -- It is better far
To rule by love, than fear --
Speak gently -- let not harsh words mar
The good we might do here!

Speak gently! -- Love doth whisper low
The vows that true hearts bind;
And gently Friendship's accents flow;
Affection's voice is kind.

Speak gently to the little child!
Its love be sure to gain;
Teach it in accents soft and mild: --
It may not long remain.

Speak gently to the young, for they
Will have enough to bear --
Pass through this life as best they may,
'T is full of anxious care!

Speak gently to the aged one,
Grieve not the care-worn heart;
The sands of life are nearly run,
Let such in peace depart!

Speak gently, kindly, to the poor;
Let no harsh tone be heard;
They have enough they must endure,
Without an unkind word!

Speak gently to the erring -- know,
They may have toiled in vain;
Perchance unkindness made them so;
Oh, win them back again!

Speak gently! -- He who gave his life
To bend man's stubborn will,
When elements were in fierce strife,
Said to them, 'Peace, be still.'

Speak gently! -- 't is a little thing
Dropped in the heart's deep well;
The good, the joy, which it may bring,
Eternity shall tell.

David Bates

Photo from weheartit

21 comments:

Michelle DeRusha said...

I must admit, I forget to speak gently sometimes. This one is a good reminder for me!

GraceGal said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! I look forward to checking yours out, too :)

GraceGal said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog! I look forward to checking yours out. I saw your post on Elizabeth Berg. I haven't read her in a long time. Good reminder.

Tracy said...

This is such a good reminder, Yolanda. I think we can all take more time to think before we speak, and speak with kindness & gentleness. :o) Happy Day ((HUGS))

Jayne said...

So much truth there. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend Yolanda.

Paula said...

Beautiful~ and a reminder I need from time to time.

Paula said...

Beautiful ~ and a reminder I need from time to time.

SandyCarlson said...

A beautiful post. Thank you.

Desiree said...

Oh, Yolanda! I came here...to return your visit and to thank you, most sincerely, for your lovely comment on my blog.

It turns out I am absolutely thrilled you found me, so I've been able to find you! Your post today is simply wonderful...such a beautiful, beautiful poem. I'm going to PRINT it out and display it on my kitchen fridge, as a GENTLE reminder :)

I also love the annonymously accredited words you've used on your comments page - they've warmed my soul this morning!

I'm going to join your blog right now and become one of your regular followers!

Hugs,

Des xo

Breezy said...

Lovely... and a good reminder for all of us!

Cait O'Connor said...

Lovely.

Anonymous said...

This was very lovely, Yolanda, and seems to take on an even deeper meaning after the horrible events this weekend. A good reminder to all. I need to remind myself, frequently, to speak - softly.

Relyn Lawson said...

Oh man! I really needed this today. Thank you, thank you!

Unknown said...

exactly.
I hope to live this .

susanna said...

Good post here, Yolanda. I just heard President Obama's speech at the memorial in Arizona tonight (on the t.v.) and it struck me that both David Bates's poem and the President speech call for us to be gentle with one another, despite our perceived differences. We need that these days. Thank you for this post.

Unknown said...

This is such a nice poem!

patty said...

a beautiful poem, and the photo is a perfect match, and perfectly done!
perfectly imperfect.... pshhh! :)

Dawning Inspiration said...

Oh my that's a beautiful butterfly!! I'll be browing your blog soon - love it!

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

What a terrific reminder, I love this! I am going to print this out and post it.

altar ego said...

Beautiful poem, and how timely!

I want to thank you for visiting my blog. I like what I see on yours!

Kerri Farley said...

Awesome image and quote ..... Love this!