Heartbreak burns slowly,
undetected and
concealed by well meaning
smiles,
in well thought out gifts,
in curated sentences
that never convey the right meaning.

In untold childhood stories
desperate to be spoken of.
In misplaced feelings of guilt
for choices made decades ago.
In the anguish of wanting to be known
by someone who doesn’t
wish to know what feeds the roots
of the tree that you’ve become.

In the idea that you’ve been alone
from the very beginning.

Heartbreak burns slowly,
and once it’s done;
It’s done.