For a Slip of the Tongue

Speaking ill of others, gossip, carrying tales
     the quickest route to hell's fiery jail
   for the mightiest weapon of war is the tongue

   Who lives, who dies -- a civil tongue's praises are sung
     or for lack of same on the gallows is hung
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023


Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 11/2/2023 8:09:00 PM
The tongue is a dangerous fire… I’ll keep my tattle tales to myself.
Login to Reply
Rodrigues Avatar
Kim Rodrigues
Date: 11/3/2023 9:55:00 AM
Love your references! LOL
Wolf Avatar
Gershon Wolf
Date: 11/2/2023 8:12:00 PM
Sticks and stones can only break my bones; if you tattle, you'll destroy me... ~ Nancy, to Sluggo
Date: 11/2/2023 6:12:00 PM
Dear Gershon, your poetic pen is as eloquent as it is potent. Gossip is mean-spirited and destructive. Indeed, the "mightiest weapon of war is the tongue".. it can also be a powerful instrument of peace. A civil tongue keeps civilized society civil.. a thought-provoking piece, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Login to Reply
Ashley Avatar
Susan Ashley
Date: 11/2/2023 6:42:00 PM
hahaha! that would be entertaining!
Wolf Avatar
Gershon Wolf
Date: 11/2/2023 6:39:00 PM
Hopefully civil tongues can prevent a civil war in this nation... Maybe if it were confined to Washington D.C., the Halls of Congress, it might be great entertainment: Pelosi grabs the gavel; Jeffries grabs it back; McCarthy ascends the podium; AOC gives him a whack... lol. Thanks, Susan
Date: 11/2/2023 12:15:00 PM
Gallows is a bit extreme, but yes, some people ruin others' lives with their horrible gossiping. Good one, Gershon
Login to Reply
Wolf Avatar
Gershon Wolf
Date: 11/2/2023 6:30:00 PM
Justice sometimes demands the death penalty, although Western society is repulsed by that idea. (Whatever happened to the 'Old West?!')
Date: 11/1/2023 9:48:00 PM
Amen. Well said
Login to Reply
Wolf Avatar
Gershon Wolf
Date: 11/2/2023 6:16:00 PM
Thanks for puttin' me on the 'A'-(men) Team,' Karen!
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter