How beautiful is a word of encouragement:
a soothing sound to a distressed spirit;
a refreshing draught of living water
to a mind parched and weary
from rancor, tumult, and vitriol.
So goes the world.
As for me, I will lift you up
as far as I am able.
I will choose a good word for you.
I will endeavor to pass over the bad word
in silence.
Do not think that I mean to say
“Peace, peace,”
when there is no peace.
I know there is not peace.
Understand instead that in our suffering
I will speak words of comfort.
In our stumbling
I will reflect light for our steps.
To our healing
I will apply balm.
In all of this I bring nothing new
for all good words
necessary and sufficient to encourage and to build up
were breathed out and set down
long ago.
I can only take them up
and repeat them in my own voice
as each new day unfolds.
For each new day
ears are itching to hear
and each new day
much is spoken
by wagging tongues.
Let not my tongue add more venom to the potion,
even in attempting to speak truth,
for such is the risk if I do so without love.
There is plenty of cause for condemnation
to go around
and around
and around.
So goes the world.
Shall we compare mistakes, you and I?
Whose list is longer?
Which of us has committed the greatest error?
Which of us has the greatest regret?
Which has caused the most pain?
The most suffering?
The most death?
This is not a challenge.
This is a call to remember ourselves.
Far be it from me to be clever
at your expense
over your faults
when the Surveyor of Souls sees us
always
and knows.
I shall rather love you as I love myself.
(and in this love restrain my tongue.)
We are each of us beloved
even as we are
by One against whom we have transgressed.
One more glorious,
more righteous
than anything we can conceive.
Even so
He will forgive
He will wipe away every tear.
Against this promise, this comfort
we devour each other
we tear each other down
day after day.
A smug and self glorifying people
clueless and descending.
As for me, I will lift you up as far as I am able.
I will choose a good word for you.
I will endeavor to pass over the bad word
in silence.
Therefore be loved, beloved.
Know and be loved
even as you are.
You may also like: https://www.listenviewreview.com/rise/
More works by this author: https://www.amazon.com/author/morrisrk
What a beautiful poem!
Thank you Diane. It is encouraging to me to hear your positive feedback.
My absolute favorite! This is you Kelly.. I pictured you as I was reading..Beautiful, I love it
Thanks so much for the kind words Kirsten. I am gratified to hear that you loved my work.
Wise, poignant words in a world that aches so deeply for the bestowal of beautiful expression towards each other. Enjoy your work, look forward to more.
regards
Thank you David for your kind words and encouragement. I hope to be able to do more. Working on something just for fun right now.
please continue to write and work on your website
Hello Harrison,
Thanks for the encouragement.
this is wonderful!!! i think every one of my fellow veterans or current active duty should read this. thank you my dear cousin! I wish you the best to you and your family!!!
xoxo tino
Thank you Tino for reading and commenting. I am encouraged by your appreciation of this work. I hope you will share it with others whom you believe would also find merit in the work. My best regards and love to you and your family also.
Love this Rick, I just love all you poems and think you are just so gifted. Keep up the good work, they always make me feel so good with your encouraging words – takes me away from where I am for a while. I just wish you could get them all published into one big book, you need more exposure to share your talents with the world – they are missing out on so much. Thank you for that “Feel Good” feeling your work gives me. xx
Thank you again Janet, it is always so nice to hear your positive comments on my posts. I would like very much to publish my works, but for now, this medium is the one through which I can attempt to reach people. I hope you will share my works with others on social media, this is the best way for now to share whatever talent I have with the world. Thanks again for being a steady and long-time supporter.
Does this ever speak to me today… calming and encouraging words when most needed. Thank you, Rick.
Thank you Carole, and your comment is encouraging to me as well.