The Hold

Two practices.

They’re both already yours.

The first you learned
in this chapter
without noticing.

The twenty-four hour rule.

Any complaint.
Any grievance.
Any “someone needs
to hear about this.”

It waits a day
before you file it.

Watch how many
answer themselves
in the hallway.

The second
is the one second.

Next time the heat rises,
don’t swallow it.
Don’t launch it.

Just find the gap.

Feel the air
come in through your nose.

One breath’s worth
of watching.

Then choose.

Two ears.
One mouth.

Now you know why.