Our Voice

It's not so much what you say, as the manner in which you say it;

It's not so much the language you use, as the tone in which you convey it:

"Come here", I sharply said,& the child cowered & wept;

"Come here", I said, he looked & smiled,& straight to my lap, he crept.

Words may be mild & fair, but the tone may pierce like a dart;

Words may be soft like the summer air, but the tone may break my heart.

For words come from the mind, grow by study & art;

But tone leaps from the inner self, revealing the state of the heart.

Whether you know it or not, whether you mean or care;

Gentleness, kindness, love, hate, envy, anger are there.

Then, wouldn't you quarrel avoid, & let peace & love rejoice?

Keep anger not only out of your words; keep it out of your voice.