In the jostling but

unwinnable stakes of

arguing with emotion

there is a moment

to just be still and

to embrace the cool

air of silence.

 

In the heat of outburst,

and in the accusations,

both fair and unfair,

that fly like flaming arrows

against a friendly target,

the response of silence

and the dissipation

made possible by time

can be crucial

or can be the worst

possible stratagem.

 

The response of silence

may be no more

than listening and

quelling the well of

one’s own fire

in the face of a battle

that no one

can win.

 

17/8/2016