RIPPLE EFFECT

Oh, I am sorry, forgive me,
I said,
I didn’t mean to be–

thoughtless, unkind, rude.

So, forgive me, for those
things I said or did.
I didn’t mean anything.
Just joking.
Just kidding.

I hurt your feelings?
Don’t be so sensitive!
Couldn’t you tell I was being–
funny?

And then someone called me “bossy”
in the most teasing sort of tone.
I knew he meant
pushy, aggressive, ambitious.
Someone else commented
–oh so kindly–
on my weight,
wondering what I was doing
to get into shape.
There have been other asides
I won’t quote,
words intended to be droll, I must note,
not cutting or demeaning
or–
hurtful.
Two lessons from life’s journey:

One,
if it tears down rather than builds up,
don’t say it–

Two,
forgive careless words
spoken by others.

Be a pebble of kindness in the pond of life,
creating ripples of forgiveness.