Last Words

What was the last thing you said aloud?

The last words you spoke aloud ~

did they lift another’s mood?

Or were they barbs and insults,

continuing a feud?

 

Did you tell a hurtful joke,

or make a rude remark?

Was the last phrase that you uttered

negative and dark?

 

Spoken words have power,

they can echo through the years.

What will your voice reverberate

in your last receiver’s ears?

Author's Note

"Once the toothpaste is out of the tube, it's awfully hard to get it back in." - H. R. Haldeman

Reviews

[Aehr]

Wow, your words got me thinking. Amazing rhyme scheme. Well done! :D

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Rhea!

[Aehr]

anytime! :)

[Renée]

Well Done, Well Said! Something I live... I can tell you do 2 ( :

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Renee! I do try...

[Renée]

Very rich message.. ( :

[Angi]

Words really cam hurt so damn much. Love this, Rita. Angi~

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Angi. The good news is that words can heal, and uplift, as well... :)

[Angi]

You are so right!

[Clockwork]

This one really makes me think about what goes int my intention and articulation of words. I think the last words I spoke today concerned making tea of boiling ravioli. Although, I had a conversation with my sister about how certain words have affected her over time. The tone of that conversation was very reminiscent of your third stanza. We were trying to answer that question in regards to certain people in her life.

On another note, I think that first stanza is a very good measure that many people could use to assess how their words touch people.

Good advice here in this piece.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you very much, C. It is true that some words carry deeper meaning coming from a certain speaker. Hmmm... tea of boiling ravioli... :)

[Marie]

And once out words are out, then don't go back in. Whether you cmail or say them aloud.

[Rita L. Sev]

Exactly. Thanks, Marie

[quinfinn]

it takes a great deal of skill and patience to get that toothpaste back into the tube, perhaps we should be careful how much we squeeze out in the first place? this, of course, applies in life very aptly and has many connotations to be perceived...not all of us see the errors of our ways until it has already happened, but we are not children either, adults know how to repair the rift and move on with honor and friendship and integrity intact. clever thoughts and great write!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Quin

[Angel]

What a beautiful...and timely...exhortation for all of us.
And I love that line about the toothpaste!
Magnificent write, my friend!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Angel! That toothpaste quote is one of the first I share with my students each year (we do a quote of the day). :)

[Will]

It's very true, that the things we say linger with the person they're directed towards for a very long time. Your poem shows that beautifully, with such good rhyme and flow. Great work as always, Rita. Keep it up!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, as always, Will!

[Sami Khalil]

A very true message that everyone needs to heed it and show some regard to others writes and feelings...Bravo

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Sami!

[Sami Khalil]

My pleasure...:)

[ANTO]

If only we applied this throughout the day Rita, it would make us all think...
My last thing was 'Tyson....NO!' because my dog was licking his doo-dahs but I am not trying to make little out of your poem - that was the last thing I said out loud.
Just don't ask me to examine the last thing I thought...or else I will have to visit Fr. Lennon (blesses self).

[Rita L. Sev]

LOL! Actually, I like that you were speaking to your dog - I say a lot to mine, too - though she's a female (no doo dahs...) Thoughts are a whole different story... ;) Thanks, Anto!

[ANTO]

Im sure there is a lot of spelling involved too then between the human-peeps in the house Rita - like W.A.L.K and P.A.R.K and O.U.T
lolol