cj

it would be really nice 
if you would just 
stop talking 
for one damn second 
and ask a question 
for once. 
you have a hard time 
submitting to authority, 
you always have reason why 
you are in the right,
and they 
are always wrong.
and you wonder why 
i don't respect you. 
i don't. 
i don't respect your 
blaring rebellion, 
i don't respect the way you 
talk condesendingly,
and grow quickly 
impatient 
with those that seem to 
know less than 
you. 
you talk a big talk, 
full of words, words, words,
words of glory, 
words of kingdoms conquered, 
words of verbal slayage. 
well good for you.
good for you 
for making strong leaders 
fall to their knees,
for causing strong women 
to second guess themselves,
and good for you 
for putting people in their 
"rightful" place. 

does that make you feel big?
does that make you feel more powerful?

because i can see 
right. 
through. 
you. 
i see you still roaming restlessly 
seeking affirmation, 
desperate for approval,
staining quiet peace 
with clambering of 
cymbals of knowledge 
and props to 
hold yourself 
up.

i see you lash out 
because the very thing you call out 
loudly 
stands a little too close 
to home
and if you would 
just be silent for 
a second 
you would recognize it 
in yourself. 

sigh. 
and here i am, 
wishing i was brave enough 
to speak these things to you,
but i am no 
verbal match for you.
you would destroy me
so i will let you keep talking, 
talking,
talking, 
and i'll just 
stick to 
writing.