Stop

 

 

Let your molehills all stay tiny

And your bygones stay intact. 

Don't make something out of nothing

Or turn gossip into fact. 

Don't stir up a pot of trouble 

Where there was no fuss before. 

Don't let Drama come to visit; 

Do not open up that door. 

Don't give time to juicy stories 

Or to business not your own. 

Don't feed rumors--they keep eating, 

And they'll end up overgrown. 

Keep your nose free from intrusion 

Into other folks' affairs. 

Don't become a busy body; 

Mind your own concerns and cares. 

Keep the facts in fit proportion; 

Don't exaggerate the truth. 

Don't hang out with rubbish-miners, 

Digging dirt up like a sleuth. 

Stop before your tongue starts flapping; 

It will soon break free and run! 

And no matter when you catch it, 

The damage will be done. 

Keep a guard upon your mouth; 

It can be a reckless door. 

Edify, encourage others-- 

That 's what words are best used for. 

Oftentimes it is most wise 

To keep thoughts in one's own head-- 

And if nice words can't be uttered, 

To simply say nothing instead.

 

© 2024 Teresa Miles Kephart