Full Circle

  When I gave you awayYou had another name.They gave you a new one.Their one. You saw my world through a fleshy membrane hazeBut could not stay in itYou went to theirsAway Many years I searched the faces in the crowdsFor recognitionThe pain of loss never went awayYou were not deadI could not bury your memoryIt lived as you didAway from me What single unified thoughtBolted through our separated livesThat made each of us chooseOn days dated the same but dawnsIn different countries We wanted to be foundBoth of usWanted to know First letters were treasures Tracing the flow of words with fingertipsTracing the years of different livesImages exchangedI peered and peered to recognize me in you.I was not there,I was frightened, it was a different you.We met By the book Neutral Territory One short hour suggested. I went slowly, stemming the flow of outpouring love and needSix hours of cold tea and warm conversation.It had begunSlowlyMindfully we asked the awkward questionsWe passed the painful parts.It has taken time that I have joyfully given. Now we have come full circleYou teach me that very lessonI thought your birth had denied meLife is a delicate wondrous thingWhere there is still life, there is hope.