Kindness
A little word in kindness spoken
A motion or a tear
Has often healed the heart that's broken
And made a friend sincere.
A word - a look - has crushed to earth,
Full many a budding flower,
Which, had a smile but owned its birth,
Would Help life's darkest hour.
Then deem it not an idle thing,
A pleasant word to speak;
The face you wear, the thoughts you bring
An heart may heal or break.
signed "WFS / Baltimore Sept 30, 1842"