There are going to be days
when the words don’t matter,
when the tongue can’t speak
what the heart’s been after
and everything said
births yet more disaster,
so the mouth stays shut
and the hands move faster.
Picking up a life
a piece at a time
that you broke in a moment,
didn’t like the design.
Thought you could smash it
and it would all be fine,
but now you’re picking up the pieces
of what you denied.
Oh child,
we all cut ourselves
on our pride,
on our “know-it-all” moments,
but we still learn.
You might feel
so fucking special,
but let me tell you;
the words will still hurt,
you are not immortal.
You are your mother’s child.
Even if you grow
vain and empty;
you still one of us…
… like it or not.
Come and claim
what is your desire
before the flames
consume the offerings.
You’ve got it all figured out,
haven’t you?
Think you know what’s happening;
well, don’t let me stop you.
Open your mouth
and enlighten us all.
If you’ve got all that
insight and worldly wisdom,
don’t die
trying to keep it
to yourself.
Oh, now you’ve learned
the value of shutting up?
Keep your mouth closed
and you hands to yourself.
Guess you figured out
that this world does to prophets;
it weeds them out
and sets them on fire.
Keep your opinions to yourself.
No one needs another word.
All this communication
has become a burden
and it’s verging on the absurd.
‘Cause when we’re all done talking,
when we’ve lost our point of view
it’s only a matter of time
before the fists start flying
and the bullets follow
and destruction comes through.
Remember,
violence is how we communicate, too.
Nothing is more precious
than a word unspoken,
than a secret kept,
than total devotion.
To keep the peace,
when your mouth is a war.
Keep your teeth together.
Saying nothing
is the wisest word.
HG – 2018