When I heard your rage
fueled by fear
I responded with anger
energized by defensiveness
and peppered with sarcasm
which was meant to be irony
but was really just doing the voice
to try to seem like it was something bigger.

It would have only enflamed the furnace further
had I reacted aloud
so I’m glad I took a beat
kept it quiet
and held my breath.

What’s interesting
is that what your original cries were about
was that nobody should be silent now
and I think that’s simply untrue
that not everyone’s first response
is a good response.

My native reaction
would have done no good
and I’m glad I kept it in.
I think you’d be glad I forsook it
if you were ever to hear it.

The sarcasm had really been
pretty weak.