learning to
excise the words
that seem to go
unacknowledged
to not reach out
to be content
with things unsaid
rather than
choking on them
a strategic retreat
in the face of
overwhelming
waves of apathy
a piss poor poet
finally understanding
the power of
staying silent
after jabbering on
alone for far too long
toasting marshmallows
as the world burns
on a sage couch
at the epicenter
of the fire