PEOPLE WE LOVE

People we neglect to love
die and we realize

we should have loved them better,

this happens all the time.

Once they are gone it’s  hard

to remember what it was

about them

that we didn't like..

We feel petty, and stupid and small,

and we should

because we were gifted someone

to give our love to

and we didn’t

perhaps the saddest thing

is that we don’t change,

we don’t learn and grow smarter,

kinder, wiser..

no, we keep trying to give our love away

but it’s not giving when you”re demanding  to be loved back,

that is a "barter"

it’s hard to give from an empty place

from a deserted or closed down heart,

what is there to give away

but hollow thoughts of love

empty as air.

people we love die and suddenly 

we remember all that it was that 

we loved about them and then 

again we face our remorse

resolving to love while we can

while there are others close enough by, 

for us to reach out to and embrace,

no strangers here,

only fearful friends who have not yet met

hoping for a safe place

to fall apart, 

open up 

to all the wonder of this world,

the only place of safety 

is the center of your own loving heart

everywhere else...

fear.