the woman behind me twitches, fidgets, embodies
impatience—
I hold the power to hold her up,
aggravate her senses, perhaps cause an explosion
which would be intense
instead, I give way, fall back, let her pass
and watch her whole body relax
as she gains a fraction,
a buffer
and I remember how often God has done
that for me, hold back, let me pass,
find what I need catch my breath, thanks to his patience