Today I am sharing a poem on the power of words: how they can haunt the writer or speaker indefinitely. Written by Canadian farmer and writer Robert Kirkland Kernighan, it warns the reader to “be careful” with words as they may have dire consequences. On the other hand, it may be argued that actions speak louder than words, but that is a different story altogether.
"Chickens Come Home to Roost"
by Robert Kirkland Kernighan
The world is wide and the faithful tide
Returns to the welcome sands;
It 's often true that the work we do
Comes back to its maker's hands.
And every man knows the wondrous plan
By creation introduced:
Be it soon or late, at a certain date,
The chickens come home to roost.
Be careful, then, ye sons of men,
What reckless words ye say;
Be they good or ill, your sayings will
On your threshold stand some day.
You 'll bear the blame, for all the shame
Was by your lips produced;
You 'll know it then, and feel it when
Your chickens come home to roost.
Many a time you 've dipped in slime
The name of a modest maid;
With scandal's dirt you Ve fouled her skirt
And made her soul afraid.
Your evil tongues have snapped the rungs
Till the ladder of fame was loosed,
But you 'll get your pay at the close of day
When the chickens come home to roost.
The words you say are hidden away
On the fateful judgment shelf;
You 'll yield your breath in a fearful death
'Neath the wall you Ve built yourself.
Be careful, then, ye sons of men,
When the shadows are all unloosed,
For soon or late you must face your fate
When your chickens come home to roost.
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