A Costly Word

 

 

It is a costly word,

Can you guess?

Your first try has gone

It is not ‘yes’. 

 

Good try though,

Though not correct,

Yes, can be very costly

In some respects.

 

If you said ‘no’,

It’s your second try,

It’s another good guess

But must be denied.

 

Just one more try

Is all you will get,

The word I have in mind

Speaks of regret.

 

No, it is not ‘sin’

Though sin is costly,

Three strikes, you are out!

Now it’s up to me.

 

It is in the Bible

More than 1500 times,

1595 times to be exact

In the KJV kind.

 

 

It can be a warning

Or a reproach,

That is, before a behaviour

Or after we encroach.

 

 

First seen in the Bible

At Genesis 4:7,

Last cited at Revelation 22:19;

Re the Word written.

 

It can be a condition

Or a check to find out,

It is a good way to think

When in doubt.

 

It is counting the cost

Before taking a leap,

Or before full exposure

Taking a peep.

 

It is having remorse

And a wish to go back

While lamenting what’s done

That is now a fact.

 

 

Judas must have said it

One dozen times

And Jesus urged a woman

To bear it in mind.

 

A costly word indeed

And a little word too,

You’d better think it before

Is a critical clue.

 

When it comes after

It is with great regret,

Just a tiny two-letter word

But demands respect.

 

It occurs in marriage

And at the workplace,

Ignored before a behaviour,

It can bring disgrace.

 

 

And if at this time

You still have not got it,

You are either a moron

Or a dimwit.

 

Sooner or later

It will confront you,

I trust it will be line of sight

And not a rear view.

 

Stewart Russell © February 3, 2024