WORD WOUNDS.
Reading edition
Though strong emotion sweeps the heart, Though anguish wings the brow, Hold back the words whose cruel smart Hurts no one worse than thou. Pause, pause until the morrow brings Reflection, thoughts more kind, Then from calm reason’s crystal springs Distill from out thy mind. A wound received from warrior’s sword May heal within a day, But the wound of some light, thoughtless word May be a wound for aye.