First Do No Harm Poem by David Whalen

You can get burned
By just the tiniest bit of tinder
Scarred for life by a still glowing coal
Singed to the quick by the smallest ember
But hurtful words hurt worst of all

They have the bite of acid
The pain of a scorpion's sting
The ego smashing, confidence bashing
The sense of self esteem…
Taking wing

Weigh every word
Before it's spoken
Consider with care
The way each word is said
With a wee trip of the tongue
A heart can be broken
Speak first from your heart
…And only then from your head…