Expressions

By Joseph Longking Townsend

Feel what you say and say it with feeling,
Heart touches heart in mysterious ways;
More than the words are the voice tones revealing,
Whether in censure, or whether in praise.

Even a child in its artless affection
Tells the heart’s wishes with inflected tone:
Feel what you say, tune the voice with inflection,
Words express little when uttered alone.

Voice of the heart in the words you are using
Brings its appeal and in confidence wins;
Would you succeed use no language confusing;
Hearts are responsive as feeling begins

Deep in the soul is a cloister concealing
Something responsive to tuneful address!
Feel what you say and then say it with feeling,
Heart tones convey more than words can express!

(1922)