Words and Choices

heard a discourse by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on the power of words and remembered how evil words permeated my soul as a child. I remembered how I got over it. I am trying to pass that lesson on.

Slander flies from their lips like stones
Striking where the whip cannot reach.
They think they know me, but they don't.
What lessons do they teach?

The sting hits deeper and I fall.
The wound seeps, though there is no sign.
No one knows what damage is done
The deepened pain is mine.

Darkness closes around, I shrink.
I want to hide, but help eludes.
The choice is mine, do I listen
Till beaten and subdued?

Words, when aimed with a mal-intent.
Can strike deeper than a dagger.
Words crafted to offend are sharp
Tearing through my center.

The choice is mine, I am the one
who decides what these words will do.
I can let them strike with power
until I am destroyed.

Or I can shield myself from them
For I know the truth about me.
My secret shield is confidence.
They shan't hurt, I can see.

And through the darkness comes a light
Shining from deep within my soul
Giving me power to succeed.
The choice is mine alone.

I will choose whether they will sting.
I choose not to be offended
I will choose what damage is done.
It's a choice in the end.

I  can choose to let them strike me
Or I can choose to step aside;
Strike dangerously accurate.
Or let them pass me by.