"Write hard and clear about what hurts." -- Ernest Hemingway
It hurts that my grandmother might not be around for my wedding It hurts that my grandfather may be, but may not remember it It hurts that I live so far my from people I love It hurts knowing they will hurt when I tell them I want to move clear across the country It hurts that I am stuck here, facing people I would rather avoid It hurts that a place I called home has turned on me It hurts more that I may be imagining they have turned on me It hurts to think I may have disappointed the first person to give me a chance It hurts that people I once called friends will speak so bitterly about me It hurts that, ten months later, I so strongly miss someone who melds perfectly with us It hurts that she would rather run than even attempt to see what it's like It hurts that she may act so calm, as if nothing happened It hurts that her facade is so strong, while mine crumbles at the sight of her It hurts that the longer we go on, the more we risk becoming "that creepy older couple" It hurts that it hurts him, when I still speak of wanting another It hurts that I would not be complete without one or the other It hurts that so many friends are married, and growing families It hurts that I will have to defend my own choices in growing mine It hurts that I must defend my family to my family It hurts that so many people work the job that pays the bills, and the job they really love It hurts that the job I love must be revealed strategically It hurts that who I am must be revealed strategically It hurts anticipating the hurt that will come from that judgement It hurts when I try to broaden my horizons, and I can see the hurt in my best friend's eyes It hurts watching people not fulfill their full potential It hurts watching people work so hard, but still gain so little It hurts working so hard in my job, becoming so tired that my joy, my passion falls by the wayside It hurts that we work so hard for things that do not truly comfort us It hurts that we take so little for granted It hurts that we take so many for granted