As inevitable as
this departure was
I pack lightly
and hurriedly
taking nothing but
the clothes on my back
and the memories of us
that is enough
to sustain me
Forever

I am thankful for you dear
and will until
you no longer hate me

I am sorry
I am sorry
I am sorry for your hurt
I am sorry for your loss
I am sorry for your fear
I am sorry for your anger
I am sorry for your sleeplessness

I hope that time will heal your hurt
I hope that you can understand that others share your loss
I hope that your fear of the new opens your eyes to the opportunities before you
I hope that you can see past the anger to the love we have
I hope you can understand that the sleeplessness is shared too
I hope
I hope

I gave up because it was too wordy.
I gave up because I didn't understand what the hell you were talking about.
I gave up because of the critique that made absolutely no sense at.
I gave up because I didn't have the time to devote to its pursuit.
I gave up.
I gave up.
Maybe I gave up too soon.

A friend I've never met in person
Prolific in his work here
Work that is good
Posts a note to say he's been wrecked

Wrecked my wind, water, sand
wrecked by chance
Is he ok?
I don't know

The note said only
He'd be away
with all that he'd saved
with his tablet and guitar

All that he'd saved
Away for awhile
Now my news feed is empty of his work
Save for the note that says he'll be
Away

A friend is a friend.
But after the wind has gone
a friend with power,
and an open door,
is a friend indeed

If the strongest bully
makes sure you know it
who intimidates and pushes around
to get his own way
to a point where he has no true friends
just nervous compatriots

suddenly

talks instead of terrorizing
helps instead of hurting
befriends instead of beating

do we care what the motivation is
or do we welcome the change

and how long until we trust him completely