You have the power

I watch as your eyes light up, as I tell you about him,
this person I just met.
A smile stretches across your face,
you look wistful, as if you see what I'm telling you,
right in front of you.

They are nice things, everything I'm saying.
I'm painting a picture for you. He is a good person.
You tell me you like him already,
because of what I said,
the power of my words.

You can't know him, because you haven't met him.
All you know is what I say, what I let you see.

I watch as you scowl in anger,
displeased as I am, upset for me.
A teacher I dislike, and now you dislike her too.
You absorb what I tell you, add stuff of your own,
You think you know her, how unfair she is, from what I say.

You sympathize with me, the bad grade I got.
The mean teacher who gave me the grade.
You don't know all the facts. You will never know,
that I didn't study for that test. All you know,
is that I don't like her, and now she is an enemy of you, too.

You can't know her, because you haven't met her.
All you know is what I say, what I let you see.

You have the power.
Your words can make an impression,
can influence a decision.
They can make it or break it.
Help a person, or hurt them.

People will take your words out of context,
twist them, distort them,
use them for their own advantage.
Once they leave your mouth- they are no longer your own,
but everyone's to use.

Make sure to only say things
that you wouldn't mind being quoted as saying.
Cuz if it makes you cringe
hearing your own words read back to you,
then be careful that those words never leave your mouth.

You have the power.