‘In multiloquio
Non deerit pecccatum’
Old Testament advice
Heed it well
‘If you talk a lot
You’ll say something you shouldn’t’
That’s my translation
Did Latin – can’t you tell!
Alphonsus liked to quote
To his companions
This adage
To keep their tongues in check
He wrote enough himself
Mind you, but talking
He was careful then
Not to over step
One time a few
Disgruntled folk
Wrote complaining
Telling higher ups what they think
Alphonsus duly warned them in a letter
Be careful now
I, too, have pen and ink
Our world
Is one great talking shop and noisy
Forever talking
God knows what we say
We need to stop and think before we utter
Or hurl another word into the fray
Words like spears or bullets
Sent to injure
To intimidate to insult
To alarm
If our words cannot help another
Be silent
For that is healing balm
Brian Fahy
18 May 2021
Erris Poetry 