Ta-ta, see-ya, bye…

When you say ‘hello” and “goodbye,’
To someone
Are they complete statements,
Figures of speech?

Or are they gap-fillers
Of awkward interactions;

Spaces —

Silences —

Incompatibility?

But, desiring compatibility.

How do we get better at sitting with and communicating our needs?
And not live out of defensive layers and mechanisms?

With presence in the present - the everyday 'gift' in life.