Speech lessons from the California fires

The Santa Ana winds down south
(much like the tongue inside your mouth)
can’t be ignored. There’s much at stake.
Don’t minimize the risk.

Just ask someone who lost his home
if he respects the power shone
by gale force breezes from the east
that stole his pride and joy.

And like the Santa Ana winds,
your words have power to offend.
Through gossip, lies and talking trash,
you spread a deadly fire.

Amazingly, your tiny tongue
can render reputations dung.
The things you say can undermine
what took years to construct.

Best think before you start to speak
so you won’t cause a sewer leak.
The breeze emitted by your tongue
has power to destroy.

* based on The Epistle of James 3:3-5

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.