I have a lingering suspicion that fate is no mere folly
that every soul to cross our path was always meant to do so
whether for a fleeting moment or a lifetime

For are we not the sum of those we have met?
A melody gifted by a friend, a phrase borrowed from a colleague  
a manner of dress inspired by a cherished companion
beliefs once foreign, now woven into the fabric of our being

And so, I do not doubt that meeting you was ordained
though it did not conclude as my heart once wished
Yet, as I relinquish the remnants of attachment
I find that your language, your culture, remain
not as burdens, but as gifts that have made me richer still

Still, I am jealous
for I am not yet done learning
not yet done unraveling the depths of who you are
There is more I wish to know, more I wish to understand
but fate, in all its cruel wisdom, has deemed otherwise

And though I have learned some parts of you
the way your cheeky smile betrays your mischief
the way your laughter sneaks into the quiet  
I will miss the constancy of it
the simple comfort of your presence woven into my days  

Thus, I am grateful for all who have graced my life
the joyful and the sorrowful, the laughter and the tumult  
For each has left a mark
and in my heart
I hold a deep and unwavering gratitude

if only our souls can translate
you would have never left
for then you'll understand
that every rhythm was urs

so close, souls nearly collide
a stranger wearing the same face  
of the one I once knew
searching, searching, desperately searching through it's eyes
with a heavy heart, I walk away
with the ache of knowing
whatever I was searching for
was long gone ago

when i get overwhelmed with the noise of reality
you'll find me rushing to my sanctuary
to wonder where, ask who
I pledge every inch
of my existence to you

why am I upset
that you've forgotten
I'm not your responsibility
in the first place

I gain a little older today
there was no cake to be blown
nor a celebration to attend
it was a simple day of  calling family and friends
and showing gratitude for another year to live
I often wonder why adults would be so dull
but then now I act the way they do
perhaps it's the realization that
another year meant more responsibilities to come
but that's the beauty of living
to feel every single thing

Despite the harsh coldness of this world
it's the warmth of your existence
that keeps me going