how much ice does it take
to make your bones freeze,
how much steam
till your blood will boil?
how many insults till you're worthless,
how many blows until you're numb?
how many stories
do you have to tell
of pain, of sorrow, of slight,
of hatred or ignorance or inequity
till you are transparent, withered, ineffectual?

how many until you are mad?

exactly how many quotations do you need
to accept that he believes what he says?
how much publicity till you understand
that he will practice what he preaches?
how many more moments
until you are done?