I got the news
& I’m sorry I was not there
that final day
you closed your eyes.
When we met,
time lasted forever
did we care what time it was?
time tricked us
time slowly took our life energy
exchanging our time together
for money, more money, always
for more money
& we separated
not on purpose
just because work took us
different directions —
every few years we would
cross paths
I think it was meant to be &
I think God was trying to
get us together again
but money’s VOICE
became louder than God’s voice
and we would kiss & hug & plan
to get together . . .
then
months &
years passed.
Last year I saw a Christmas card
you sent
and I stopped
& wrote a long letter
on parchment paper
saying soon
we will get together
to spend our last days
together.
A friend of ours
wrote to me and said
you were thrilled
to read my letter
and planned to write back
as soon as she felt better
I waited . . .
days passed
weeks passed
then
your eyes closed a final time.
Our friend wrote again:
I needed to write to you
your address was on her envelope
I know she hoped for a future
together.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Another time, another place
your arms will reach
for each other
& you will
finally become one.
__________________________
By Jim Wortham, May 1, 2023
The Broken and The Holy 