This one, a direct and very clear answer to a friend’s request for guidance from the spirit world …

Watch your words like a hawk.
Do you whisper or squawk?
Sometimes others can miss
And sense a venomous hiss.
When what you said came from pain
And in your voice did remain
A taste of your hurt.

Choose your words with great care.
Others may not hear what is there.
Hear your voice through their ears.
Do they hear rancor or tears?

The written word is quite tricky.
So you must be a bit picky,
Pairing words which impart
That you speak from the heart.

You may know that your mind
Means only to be kind
But this does not always convey
In the true words that you say.

Stop yourself ‘fore you write
Make your prose clear and tight
Then give it a test:
Did my heart say it best?