8.12.2016

Presenting Poetry, August Edition

Hello, readers!
After an (unintentional) break from Presenting Poetry in July, it's back again for August. This month's poem is called "The Tongue".

The Tongue 
by Philip B. Strong 

"The boneless tongue, so small and weak,
Can crush and kill", declared the Greek

"The tongue destroys a greater horde,"
The Turks asserts, "Than does the sword."

A Persian proverb wisely saith,
"A lengthy tongue - an early death";

Or sometimes takes this form instead,
"Don't let your tongue cut off your head."

"The tongue can speak a word whose speed,"
Says the Chinese, "Outstrips the street";

While the Arabs sages this impart,
"The tongue's great storehouse is the heart."

From Hebrew with the maxim sprung,
"Though feet should slip, ne'er let the tongue."

The sacred writer crowns the hole;
"Who keeps the tongue doth keep his soul." 


This poem ties in perfectly with James 3:3-8, ESV, which says
"If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.  Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.  So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,but no human being can tame the tongue". 
Yikes! I'm sure you've read that passage or heard it referenced before, and there's a pretty good reason for it- our words have power!  Our tongue is one of the smaller parts of our body, and yet is has enormous power to build up or destroy, to encourage or discourage, like this song says. 
I think this poem is a really good reminder to think first about what we say, and try to use our words to lift up and encourage others. It's so important! 

Thanks for reading, and I'll see you on Tuesday with another book review! =)

//Emily 



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17 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, I LOVE that poem! I'll have to remember it, thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks, Savannah! It is a really good poem, isn't it? I'm so glad you liked it! =)

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  2. Thank you for the reminder through the poem! Words are very powerful, and James puts it very good and powerfully! And I love that song too!!

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    1. Thank you- I'm glad you liked the poem! It is such a good reminder about the power of our words. And that song is really good, isn't it? =)

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  3. So wise and so true. Thanks for posting, Emily!

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    1. Thank you, Grace! I'm so glad you enjoyed reading! <3

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  4. That's a fantastic poem. Thank you for sharing it! Have a beautiful weekend.

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    1. Thank you, Bonnie! Hope you have a wonderful weekend as well. =)

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  5. That's a great poem and verse and a great reminder, too! Thank you for sharing it.

    Blessings,
    Jewels
    www.myjoyfuljourneywithjesus.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you, Jewels! It is such a great reminder- I'm glad I remembered this poem for a Presenting Poetry post! =)

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  6. EMILY!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing that song!!! I've heard it before but never really paid attention. Now it's one of my favorites! I love it. And the music video is amazing. =)

    I loved the poem too! Such a great reminder. =) I think what we speak (and type) is so important...but it's also terribly hard to think before we pour out words. =(

    //Hosanna

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    1. Thank you Hosanna!!! I'm so glad you listened to the song again! I'd never really paid much attention to it before either, but the lyrics are so good!=)

      And you're so right- the hardest thing is thinking before we speak. :/ Thankfully that's something that can change with God's help!

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  7. Beautiful poem Emily!!! So true and that song is so powerful too! Do you listen to Hawk Nelson much? I really like a lot of his songs!

    You are doing so good at blogging! I love seeing your blog grow bigger and you totally deserve it. Keep up the great work, girl!!

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    1. Thank you, Hannah! I've listened to Hawk Nelson some, and I do like a lot of his songs, especially that one and "Diamonds". :) Have you heard that one?

      Aww, you are too sweet! <3 I am truly amazed at how much my blog has grown in just the few short months I've had it. I'm so grateful that God has allowed me to continue, and so thankful for sweet friends and their encouragement! Your blog has really grown too, and you are a great blogger and writer! We'll keep up the good work together, okay? :D

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    2. Yes!! I love "Diamonds". =)

      Aren't we both so thankful for the sweet and encouraging people we know? They are the best! Thank YOU for all your encouragement! I've been so blessed as we've walked this blog journey together. :) We'll definately keep up the good work as best we can! =)

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  8. Your design is absolutely gorgeous! Loving the purple. ;)
    This poem is so pretty -- great choice!
    Thanks for commenting on my blog! :)

    Sophia xx
    A Lantern In Her Hand
    The Inkpot Girl

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    1. Thank you so much! I really like purple, as is evident by my design. ;)
      Thank you! I really love that poem too.
      You're welcome! And thank you so much for stopping by mine. =)

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