battle fatigue

in the war of what may be

that wages between perception and reality

retreat is called

when clarity slips in

and a deep breath in

creates

a temporary cease fire

reviewing the sequence of events

the trigger that caused

self-doubt and regret

and the desire to concentrate

follows with a deep breath out

and a focus

then acknowledgement

'it isn't always about me'

again

then follow with

'sometimes it's ok to be wrong'

slowly the armor begins to itch

the red flags alert

uncertainty sounds the battle cry

and there may be casualties of this war

ego may take a hit

carefully constructed bravado

could gasp a dying breath

and eventually

worrying about what might be

gives way

finally, waving the white flag

a

deep breath in

then

deep breath out

remove the armor

and risk the wounds

of simply being human