One Word

A slip of the tongue
an unfortunate turn of phrase
a misplaced word emphasis
and suddenly, the phone rings.

The voice on the other end
has some words for me:
devalued
damaged
disturbed
devastated
disinclined to ever
darken the doorstep again.

I listen, and try to offer
the only word that might help,
the word I owe her:
regret.

As she continues I am reminded
how dangerous words can be:
hers are razor sharp.

Perhaps someday I will know that
only word that heals:
grace