In my mind's eye, when I looked
at what should have been our "holding hands" ...
I saw that yours had silently released its hold ,
like mute falling pearls let go
from its strand of gold ...
Loved you too truly to make any demands ...
And understood you genuinely
to realize the why
that my heart understands ...

You told me,
maybe I should let you go ...
That maybe,
I should find somebody else to know ...
That after all, you're still too broken
to give committed affection with no reserve ...
Can't therefore love me the way I deserve ...

You have been the most I've connected with, though ..
Fit nearest perfect
intellectually, emotionally, and physically ...
As I look back tearfully ... sadly ...
Deep in me, I do know
it is something we can keep together
only if we work at it with one another ...

So eventually , I just as quietly set you free ...
If you ever come back when already you're mended.
that's entirely up to you ... not anymore me ...
And now, like a book in the midst of writing ,
I take my pause and lay it aside ...
Explore once more the experience of living ,
notwithstanding the challenges with which it is rife ,
To go out into the expanse and breathe in Life,
with all its joys and promise of all possible good ...
I look forward and onward to my just due...
As for love, I hope it will encompass that too ...