Stop… Take 5 Minutes (Poem)

Stop… Take 5 Minutes 
By Tori Peters

Hot-head. Hammer-head. 
Angry words hit the heart and the head like lead,
Bricks in the pit of your stomach.
We disagree, to disagree.
Stop… Take 5 minutes.
Do we think? No.
Just dismiss and let it wash down the sink.
It takes effort to think.
Too much effort to think. 
So we move on without a second thought.
Because we’re right. Right? Or are we? 
You won’t know till you think. 
Stop… Take 5 minutes. 
It’s free to disagree. Ideas cost nothing
But they are lost without thought. 
Good ideas take time.
It took time for the light bulb to shine.
Time for the planets to aline.
Time for a diamond to be mined. 
But did I take time before I spoke? 
Somedays yes others no
And those others are the days I regret the most. 
Stop… Take 5 minutes 
What are you trying to prove?
It doesn’t work when you refuse to move,
To the left or to the right,
Stubbornness closes your mind.
Do we listen to learn or listen to reply?
There’s a difference.
Did you really hear what was said
Or did you let it go in and then back out of your head?
Right through your ears. 
Now emotions are high and there are tears.
Stop… Take 5 minutes
Why do we argue is it because we really disagree
Or do we fear what would happen if we concede? 
It sounds to me like pride.
That thing it’s so easy to hide behind
Till it swallows you up like the rising tide. 
Stop… Take 5 minutes
So what’s the point? 
I’m not here to point fingers.
I just want you to hear,
When you listen to those that are near.
Take your time, time to think.
Give new ideas some thought
Or else you might just miss your shot.
Stop… Take 5 minutes
And give it some thought.