Poems (Hoffman)/To the Possessor of an Unbridled Tongue
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TO THE POSSESSOR OF AN UNBRIDLED TONGUE
Out of the grass,
Through flower-like clumps of gladsome words
Springs a dread serpent whose unerring dart
Is death to all the joyous, happy birds,
Of many a human heart.
Through flower-like clumps of gladsome words
Springs a dread serpent whose unerring dart
Is death to all the joyous, happy birds,
Of many a human heart.
The venomed sting
From tongues whose hate might wrap a world
In white, dread flames from demon souls uncurled,
While all the birds, too terrorized to sing,
Fold their bright wings.
From tongues whose hate might wrap a world
In white, dread flames from demon souls uncurled,
While all the birds, too terrorized to sing,
Fold their bright wings.
As from a serpent
Would I hasten from the venomed tongue,
Nor look again upon the one who flung
Unjust anathemas, to make the chords
Of Life's sweet music jar.
Would I hasten from the venomed tongue,
Nor look again upon the one who flung
Unjust anathemas, to make the chords
Of Life's sweet music jar.
Pour forth thy words!
As I avoid the serpent's flowery path,
So shall I circle far,
Aside from all thy unreasoning wrath.
As I avoid the serpent's flowery path,
So shall I circle far,
Aside from all thy unreasoning wrath.