As Such Things Do

As Such Things Do

It begins, as such things do:
A stubbed toe, imagined insult,
Cut off on the highway, or worse…
Someone acting stupid

It grows, as such things do:
Tense neck and shoulders, a headache,
A harsh word to a loved one, or worse…
Action without thought

It explodes, as such things do:
Raised voices, irrevocable words,
Tears and slammed doors, or worse…
Unforgivable violence

It retreats again, as such things do:
If there is anything left to save,
If there is anywhere left to go,
And you hope…
That there is someone left to care

CJ Tyo
December, 1995