It was only a tiny seed,
— Carelessly brushed aside;
But it grew in time to a noxious weed,
— And spread its poison wide.

It was only a little leak,
— So small you might hardly see;
But the rising waters found the break,
— And wrecked the great levee.

It was only a single spark,
— Dropped by a passing train;
But the dead leaves caught, and swift and dark
— Was its work on wood and plain.

It was only a thoughtless word,
— Scarce meant to be unkind;
But it pierced as a dart to the heart that heard,
— And left its sting behind.

It may seem a trifle at most,
— The thing that we do or say;
And yet it may be that at fearful cost
— We may wish it undone someday.

It was only a tiny seed,
— Carelessly brushed aside;
But it grew in time to a noxious weed,
— And spread its poison wide.

It was only a little leak,
— So small you might hardly see;
But the rising waters found the break,
— And wrecked the great levee.

It was only a single spark,
— Dropped by a passing train;
But the dead leaves caught, and swift and dark
— Was its work on wood and plain.

It was only a thoughtless word,
— Scarce meant to be unkind;
But it pierced as a dart to the heart that heard,
— And left its sting behind.

It may seem a trifle at most,
— The thing that we do or say;
And yet it may be that at fearful cost
— We may wish it undone someday.