Circling Back

We speak of truth
as though it must be seized
immediately

as though delay
is cowardice

But some truths
arrive like winter—
too much
if entered barefoot

So we step back

We soften the mirror

We know what we are doing

We are not fools

We are pacing ourselves

There are things
I have set aside

Not discarded
Not denied

Just placed
on a shelf
within reach

And I have said,
more than once,

“We will circle back to that.”

There are truths
I have folded
carefully

not to hide them
but to keep them
from tearing

Some require
a softer season

Some wait
for strength

Some wait
for courage

I know
what they are

I know
where they are kept

I am not deceived

I am not unaware

I am simply
not ready

And so I say—
with tenderness
with fatigue
with strategy

“We will circle back to that.”

© Ron Simpson Jr.