Hello and welcome to Thingly Things!
Today’s Thing of Poetry is almost a meditation. I wrote this one evening while I was reflecting on people who used to be in my life. Some drifted away slowly. Others parted abruptly. Or I departed from them. Sometimes with no explanation other than silence between us.
There are moments when I felt guilty about those severed ties. There are times when I am glad to be rid of some of them. Either way, I am grateful for what we had together when the bonds were strong. Before I or they or we could no longer be “ka-tet”, to borrow a term from Stephen King that I often use when thinking of the friends who are like family. The people we wind up bonded to out of what seems like destiny but may only be there for part of our journey.
I try to learn from my mistakes when it comes to caring for the ones I love. I am learning to forgive what I cannot change. I have learned that it’s okay to miss the ones who are no longer within reach, and to wish them well anyway.
I hope you enjoy this Thing and all the Thingly Things in the archive. If you would like to support my work, please consider becoming a paid subscriber and please share any Things that you really like to help bring in more readers.
And, as always,
Thanks for all the Things
-M.E.
The hour was blue Like magic Cupped in the palm of Dusk The smell Of leaves Exchanging green for gold And sap slowing Into syrup Like the breath before a sigh The scar doesn't hurt But it recalls the pain Once dear hearts Discarded casually Like socks that were in need of mending But I couldn't spare the thread Or the time Or the needles I keep Which were only made For me to swallow Not for fixing my neglect Are those starlings or bats Circling the hilltop? I suppose it depends on the time Or more so, It depends on the nature Of what has taken flight. They are what they are Regardless of the wants of a watcher Deciding what he sees in the sky Just as I am what I am No matter what you thought I was It was a slow sweet blue hour When I decided To change.