When it's over ... and the bell no longer rings

After harsh words said ... which do jab and sting

And all of your feelings have been openly bared

Then one must get down to the task of being fair



To the other things which make you tick and shine

All of the goodness in you - which shows up so fine

In the words which you pen daily and things said

Which so many do hear from you and have read



As concentration becomes honed to a fine edge

And then the beauty which is yours sits on a ledge

As words are uttered in sentences with much fire

And love burns in you to stoke embers without ire



The stings you feel from all of the directions

Trouble you so much you lose introspection

And the burning within turns logs into dust

As the fire rages and you realize you must



Deal effectively with all of the freedom

You've now been given to get things done

And you work on the words to stir the pot

As you quell the love-stings to make 'em not



- tristram

7:50am Thurs 12/18/97