I’ve always been about
Trying to save the connections –
To family, neighbors,
Old lovers,
Elementary school best friends.

I’ve kept an open heart,
Made sure I kept
Forgiveness and tolerance
At the top of the priority lists,
And always tried to
Make amends
When the offense
Was on my side of the street.

I’m 49.
For the first time, ever,
I understand that
Even open hearts
Can’t save every connection.

If history offers any example,
I’ll likely spend
The next ten years
Figuring out
Why I let that bother me.

After all,
Separation is only
An illusion.

Maybe that applies
To the connections, too.

But in the opposite way.

02/19/2012