I see now,
The Folly
Of my desperate clinging,
To a dying tree,
That gave back nothing.
Though I poured out my heart,
It remained unmoved.

Its responses
Stiff and unyielding.

Would you forsake
Your family's expectations
Just to stand
By my side until the end?

Your commitments
Speak louder
Than our love ever could.

When I contemplated
Ending it all,
The world seemed
To cry out in protest,
Every living thing.

Reaching out,
To keep my weary soul,
Tethered to life.

How I wish our paths
Had never intersected.
For in your absence,
I felt utterly lost.
In the darkness,
Bearing the weight,
Of longing for someone
As cold as winter.

Yet beneath each mask
And persona I tried on.
My authentic self remained,
Steadfast and true.
And you,
Too,
Were present in everything.

Appearing in all I did,
Whether I wanted it or not.