Some things
are only true
when falling—
slide and snag
bang and brag
a snarl
gone viral.

The trick
is not to fear
the bruise—
but love
how the bruise
proves
the skin.

One wrong turn—
no worse than any other—
but this one
this particular slip
stuck its foot out
caught you sideways
and the ground
now refuses
to forgive—
or you lead yourself
to believe
you are to blame.

We'd like the world
to balance
but sometimes
it tilts—
and we drink down
the bitter
without ever
spilling the sweet.

It’s okay—
because patience
is no accident.

Did you ever think of staying?
Or was leaving the only way
you knew how to love me?

Was I too much,
or not enough?
Did I ask for things
you couldn’t give,
or did you offer less
than you were able?

I wonder if you held back your truth
to protect me,
or to protect yourself
from watching me fall apart.

The answers don’t come.
But the questions—
they stay.
Lodged somewhere between
my ribs and my memory,
quiet,
persistent,
unanswered.