Guard my tongue from evil but
Do not guard my tongue from gossiping,
The blood of a community
Circulating useful information
Warning us against predators
Notifying us of impending joys
And looming disasters.
Gossip is love.
Guard my tongue from evil but
Do not guard my tongue from speaking up,
Especially in these fierce days
Of threats and indifferent cruelty
When real monsters roam
Humanity must be defended
And liars defied.
Speech is safety.
Guard my tongue from evil but
Do not guard my tongue from arguing
Which is how we study our sacred texts
Asking the next logical question
And the one after that
And the one after that,
All for the sake of Heaven.
Argument is fun.
Guard my tongue from evil but
Do not guard my tongue from teaching
Especially the hard facts
That no one wants to hear
Grant me patience and talent
For my students
And truth in my information.
Education is life.
Blessed Holy Wholeness,
I give thanks for words
And the freedom to use them
However long that lasts.
Amen
