How long will it take

to stand up again

and have the mental strength

to lift up my eyes and head?

 

How long will it take

for me to take a breath

and scrub from my limbic system

the aura and sound of failure?

 

How long will it take

to settle my shaking bones

and stand up on my feet

and calm my racing heart?

 

How long will it take

for patience to abound again

and give everyone a chance

to get up from their fall?

 

How long will it take

for everyone to bite their tongue

and wait for the person speaking

to be confident that they're done?

 

How long will it take

to get out of my head

the repetition of your expression

that my competence is dead?

 

How long will it take

for you and you and you

to take a step back

and give me a moment, too?