Relative Something

.

then one day
it became silent
no, not silent
but quiet
like everything is done
or the pause
that can be awkward
after talking has stopped
there is something telling about
a person who is comfortably content
to remain at peace in a group
of people who’ve stopped talking
more so when it is one
who does so
while ensconced
in the quiet
of everything being done

.

legal
institution
fear
right
true
marriage
hurt
commitment
church
state
wrong
facts
evidence
important
life
benefits
damage
phobia
civil
separate
equal
responsibilities
fundamental
vision
circumstance
religious
dignity
politics
afraid
kids
health
debate
protect
sanctity
social
justice
honest
effort
genuine
respect
think
honest
logic
give
up
fear

.

little things
under foot
in our minds
appear harmless
even as
our thinking
stubs a toe
or double steps
to adjust
for having planted
weight
on some object
that pokes
the tender spot
in the middle
of an idea
we thought
was impervious
to impingement

.