Things I’m Not Telling Myself

• You miss her. You want to tell her you miss her.
• You want to say you feel lost and alone,
• that you feel like you’re the world’s biggest dunce
• every morning when you wake up empty-handed
• and every empty-handed minute before nightfall.
• But she is not what you need right now.
• You need to confront, with compassion,
• whatever it is that led you here.
• You need to let go of the dreams and fantasies
• and to root yourself in reality. You need to be
• and to become the one you need.
• It’s difficult to let go
• of what you loved, so be patient
•  
• with yourself. Trust yourself. Let yourself
• be carried in the arms of others
• as you pick up the tender pieces
• of your hardened heart. Sadness and grief
• are a part of the healing. You can
• and will change for next time.
• There will be a next time, another chance,
• another love. It’s hard, but you’re intimate
• with stubbornness and tenacity. You know pain
• and heartbreak. Continue and put words on the page
• through your misty eyes and aching knees.
• Give oxygen to a soul that is hungry for warmth
• and fire. Let the tears fall
•  
• but don’t let them put out the flame.