Inside Voice

      One has to know, one has to care,

      Of who, what, and where,

      Of the time to stand up, and when to sit

      When to volley the ball, or make a big hit

      How to make a splash

      Whether to be the flash

      If to raise the alarm

      Or turn on the charm

      At the rally, on a plane

      In the crowded rush hour train

      Of the time and place

      When to exit the race

      Of the mood in the room

      The best words to lower the boom

      Of the temperature of the soup

      And the mission of the group,

      To run with the pack, or bring up the rear

      To lower the volume, modulate the fear

      One needs to be sure, one needs to set the tone

      Letting things be, or be the dog with the bone

      No matter the cause, thinkers think twice

      Holding that ignorance is man’s mortal vice.

      To atone is to turn away

      And start a new day

      To learn how

      To act now

      To count the cost

      And admit when one is lost

      To deal thoughtfully with dangers

      And cautiously with strangers

      To run if there’s a fire

      And carry a spare tire

      To learn how to sing a new song

      To rest after a night long

      To rise with the birds

      Wasting no time on mean words

      To practice what one preaches

      Seeking what the good book teaches

      Cherishing one’s dreams

      Living within one’s means

      Working for a better way

      Speaking out when there is something to say

      One has to try, one has to swallow the pill

      Surrendering self, ruling over free will

      One has to aim high

      Figuring out the how and why

      Shunning evil, digging for gold

      Resolving one’s soul would never be sold

      Managing need, sparing no pain

      Daily making a bargain

      To live by smart choice

      And raise only the inside voice.