PATHS

Stay with me on this path,
I cannot pretend to feel
like you do
we will not share
the path though we
breathe the same air
of the few
what we thought
was purgatory
is heaven and love
here below are the paths
we choose from above
until daylight boasts
our singular roads
when we hold hands
it’s across the paths
the hallmark romantic
those pop up fantasy lives
recorded messages
on phone calls of survival
cheering in stadiums
praying in temples
crawling over the fields of war
paths lie lonely and singular
for a reason or many
to soften, or comfort
to run from when plenty are
striding in tandem
in front or behind
there is nothing to fear
on a path alone
the way is crowded
first time out of the womb
with mothers and family and
neighbors and friends
with priests and teachers
what might have been
there is nothing to fear on
a path alone
the road signs to flee
to the path we seek
euphoria
regret
choice and repentance
pride and the
company we need
for sleep
not a sentence
no matter the love
or whatever you call it
no matter the need
and how we address it
mind the gap
when you step from
your path to mine
mind that gap
it is sacred
mind that gap
it is ours