Rupture

My friend, it’s been a long time.

A long time since we sat together
without tension,
without suspicion.

A long time since we lived within the context of
gentle nuance;
a grounded sense of 3-dimensional space,
tiered facets of that sprite called tone – the liberality of laughter.

A shared experience of exhale, embrace;
Coming home over too-tall iced chai,
calories in the corner,
unloading our mundane lists;
Self-deprecating without depreciating.
The glorious right to be unsure.
The privilege.

I miss your depth of being –
saving me the task of asking if we’re alright.
A sure knowing that you are with me;
The space to be our own yet connected.
A delight in our difference –
the reason we fit together.

The now is sharp –
and rife with conclusions made,
with hasty keystrokes entered;
Between oatmeal and carseats...
My heart is racing – again?
The shouts and sharp cries come from without and within –

I miss you.
I need you to settle this time-ticking beat within me.

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© Savannah Smiley Sterrett 2021