Eric B. Vest

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Sticks & Stones: Updated Advice In Ever Evolving Spaces

'Sticks and stones
May break my bones
But words will never hurt me.'

~ Original verse by: Mrs. George Cupples,1872


That childhood verse, deceptively quaint,
We learned and claimed we knew.
But, sadly, that sweet sentiment
Is everything but true.

For humans, sometimes, use their words
Not thinking, as they could;
And often do a lot more harm,
Than their intended good.

So, if I may, please, thank you
For giving this a read;
And, if you wish, think back to this
Revised, yet truer creed:

Bones will break with sticks and stones,
If you pick up and throw them.
But, what you say could kill someone,
Even when you don't know them.

~ Eric B. Vest,2012

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