quicker to quiet

maybe it's COVID.
maybe it's Florida.
I am getting mad.

when I was a kid,
and I'd get mad
or scared,
I'd shut down
and go silent
for days.

that's happening again.

without a vow,
Sunday I said nothing.
all damn day.

nothing to the bagel lady.
nothing to family.
not even a text.
silence starts within.

as you learn
to put selfishness
on hold,
you begin to notice
how prevalent it is
in others.

I used to get annoyed,
but that does no good,
especially when dealing
with selfishness,
because being annoyed
is selfish unto itself.

now I am just quicker
to get quiet.