emergent

Stand by! the snide riposte that you deserve
will take some time to formulate just right
to cut you to the quick and strike a nerve
if rushed, would neither titillate nor bite
but now that I have paused, the fevers wane
perhaps you hadn't meant to give offense
and I'd be rash to lash out, causing pain
imputing malice from mere ignorance
instead, I won't sound clever, but stand mute
or turn to probe what lay behind your word
restraining now the sharp-edged tongue of youth
mayhap you hadn't meant the barb I'd heard
we look less clever, but more wise with years
to cultivate more bonds and fewer tears