Initial Conditions

heavy burdens

i watch you shoulder
heavy burdens,
hoping my eyes
will somehow lighten them.

one shared gaze
communicating
in an instant
more than any words can.

profound loss.
profoundly lost
together in empathy
for that fleeting moment.

i watch you rise
to meet each day;
recomposed,
you take them up again,
and again, and again...

...

i'm proud of you my friend
your concern is never misplaced
please take equal care yourself
granting needed rest and grace

🧘🏻‍♀️

This was originally written for a friend after we lost a close mutual acquaintance. The next day, our eyes locked and transcieved a message that could never have been put into words. Of course, being me, the poem I wrote for them about that morning, was never given... but then, there was a moment when they expressed their gratitude during a time of duress and I was either brave or foolish enough to share it. We didn't talk much about it afterward, but it didn't do any harm either. I hope it was as well received as it was intended.