i am not that person
not anymore
leave your boots by the door
turn up the fire
sit by a distant shore

it was good –
to see you –
indulge in a little praise
for someone –
so tied in knots
too often, it is easily forgot

why did i fight them
when my life
always delivered the fight

but their claim
needles the insane
when will the pain be tamed?
and not have such a vicious bite?

they never ask how i am
part of,
why you do not understand

when a child –
does not fulfill a parents ambitions
or hope or need
simply put to one side

number forty
is just another door
the street
where we exercised our feet
and,
where memories found a seat

when i put my arms around you
i feel our love
somehow we recline
i remember chasing highs

put your hand on my heart
feel it beating
she taught me many things
and her death has taught me
that life is fleeting