Talk is cheap.<\/p>\n
Until you have something worthwhile to say \u2013<\/p>\n
Then it\u2019s priceless.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Silence is golden.<\/p>\n
Unless it\u2019s done while blood is being spilled \u2013<\/p>\n
Then it\u2019s unspeakable.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It\u2019s easy to speak, even to speak profoundly.<\/p>\n
(There is a fine line between lost & profound.)<\/p>\n
To pontificate takes merely a pontiff \u2013<\/p>\n
And that\u2019s \u2013 a thousand separations \u2013 a false \u201cpriest\u201d altogether.<\/p>\n
To wax-poetic takes barely a waxed-out poet \u2013<\/p>\n
And that\u2019s not very impressive at all<\/p>\n
(If a bit self-deprecating).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Yes, the spoken word can flow smoother and glossier<\/p>\n
Than a self-proclaimed guru\u2019s shampooed-and-conditioned<\/p>\n
Tresses (dare I say he\u2019s got too much braid on his plait?)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
(It isn\u2019t called a speakeasy because it\u2019s hard)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
What isn\u2019t easy is saying what has to be said,<\/p>\n
Saying Truth \u2013 and not the Pravda kind of truth either:<\/p>\n
We mean here the clean, undiluted Truth of the Divine.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
What isn\u2019t easy is saying something pure and innocent.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Say to the Kohanim
\n<\/i><\/p>\n
The sons of Aharon
\n<\/i><\/p>\n
And tell them\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It\u2019s hard to tell what has to be said.<\/p>\n
(Just as it\u2019s hard to say what has to be told)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
But we can listen and learn,<\/p>\n
For is the Torah not a teacher<\/p>\n
And we, blessedly, its student?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Say<\/i> and tell<\/i> \u2013 Redundant? Never!<\/p>\n
\u2018Tis a lesson:<\/p>\n
Let us listen to the teacher so<\/p>\n
That hopefully we may learn<\/p>\n
(And, perhaps, one day even teach).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
(Some say:<\/p>\n
Show & Tell<\/p>\n
Others:<\/p>\n
Kiss and tell<\/p>\n
Not we:)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Say<\/i> and tell<\/i>:<\/p>\n
Learn that the elders, the wise,<\/p>\n
Shall protect the young, the innocent.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Say<\/i> and tell<\/i>:<\/p>\n
Say to them so they may tell others.<\/p>\n
Say to the elders so they may tell the youths.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And not only so the innocent will know what is wise<\/p>\n
But also so that the wise will know what is innocent.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
One can make a fine speech about something coarse<\/p>\n
And one can make a coarse speech about something fine \u2013<\/p>\n
But not to children, innocents:<\/p>\n
They\u2019ll see right through it<\/p>\n
Like x-ray sees right through<\/p>\n
Pampered spa skin.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
One does not make speeches to purity.<\/p>\n
One merely tells it how it is \u2013<\/p>\n
Well, very well<\/p>\n
Said.<\/p>\n