Speak Life—Jesse Baker

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by Jesse Baker

… but no one can tame the tongue. (James 3:8)

Next time I teach, I’m tempted just to stand
In silence—mute, as any mouthing might
Make known how much my heart is rooted in
Iniquity or that my untamed tongue 
Will take control and twist my talk to till
Up trouble, seeding soulish soils with speech
That cannot feed but only churn up bile
And gall in everyone my voice consumes.

But how I long to speak without such fear,
That words would well up from a single source
And like a fountain freely flow to quench
Parched throats; and that my voice would ring like verse
And dove-like light upon the hearts of those
Who long to hear your Word   speak   life.

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Jesse is a pastor living in central North Carolina who often tries to entice his parishioners to join in his poetic enthusiasm. He has previously written for An Unexpected Journal, The Clayjar Review, Rabbit Room Poetry, and Radix Magazine.