Tempo True

I would rather say nothing

and hold my own

off in a corner,
completely alone,

than run with my words

like a horse in a race

to keep up with others'

breakneck pace.  

Let them run, let them tear

through gate after gate,

topic upon topic,
while I quietly wait.

Let me ponder, let me tarry

and never rush in

to perform mental feats

in games I can't win.

When others are tense

and ill at ease,

frightened of silence

and driven to please,

may I hold fast to peace

and not spill myself silly

to fill gaps in sound

with words, willy-nilly.

I detest when I do this --

I loathe giving in

to the force of unrest 

for whom silence wears thin.