Influence

We may not realize a kind word
spoken
May cheer some lonely heart that's
almost broken.
We go about our daily tasks without
a care
Of burdens we might lighten here or
there.
Our daily occupation seems to be
So all important that we fail to see
Kind words and deeds will far outlive
the rest;
We say or do and that alone will
make us truly blessed.
For on some future day we know not
when,
Our daily work will cease to trouble
us, and then
Like ripples on the waves they'll
reach the farther shore
And we will find them there when we
cross o'er.
We little know the influence of a
word
For good or bad that we some bosom
stirred;
We pass them by, nor do we care to
know
Those thoughtless words we spoke
were but a blow
And rankled in the heart of some
dear friend^___
And some kind word to one with
cares oppressed
May cheer their heart till they are
blessed,
And in return we get some cheerful
word from those who love us yet.
And when we have no kind friend to
linger near
Some ray of sunshine as from clouds
above
Will fill our hearts with peace, con-
tent and love.
O, speak the word of comfort now
and here
Before the flowers are scattered o'er
the bier.

^__Nettie Squire Sutton.

A Book of Poems
Nettie Squire Sutton
(Minneapolis, KS: Messenger Press. n.d.)
Pages 18-19