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Be wary of the thoughtless word that sneaks,
Well-masked, into the innocent converse;
A pitfall which way-lays whoever speaks,
Whether it be in common speech, or terse;
Too easily, too often humans meet,
As is the wont of Homo Sapiens,
In deference to politeness, stop to greet,
Lest they be deemed outlandish aliens;
To treat the other as you treat yourself,
With unreserved acceptance, and with grace,
As though such be the Oracle of Delph,
Will never either’s dignity deface;
Proffer not that of which you know the least,
For you, such words may be a bitter feast!
©Meanderings 2017
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