teach me tonight

My tongue is a fire
fueled by my foolishness
propelling me into a mire
of disgust
Like a moth to the flame,
I am drawn to destruction
left with a tongue I can’t tame
or instruct

You can see though I’ve tried
to converse, I’m left only
wishing for this tongue to be tied
and it all has gone south
with my foot placed so firmly
inside of this inundant mouth

I’m blessing the Father
and with the same breath
turn to curse at my brother
in my pain
I’m biting back bile
and retching the bitterness
while trying to maintain this smile
that I feign

If I could take it all back, I would
and start speaking life giving words
like I know that I should
but I can’t seem to bridle
this tongue in my head
and I cannot escape
all these things that I’ve said
so I’m asking for You
to give me instead
the skill of remaining silent