Tom

You were looking for me then but couldn’t find me

You fell in with him instead though only briefly
as you bumped up against the issues of
living arrangements and cities and the dog (the dog!)
and what a future might look like (different always different)
and decided (maybe with him leading the way)
it might be better to
keep looking

An outstanding debt (bitter wine) was settled
and you moved on

Now it falls to me to forgive and forget
that which requires no forgiveness
because there was no foul –
not then, not ever

To forget Tom, Steve,
college engagement guy,
short marriage no good guy,
connections with who knows how many others

I must learn to live with the specter of
these friends I’ll never know
who raised you and made you ready
with all the bruises and slights they delivered
and lessons they taught
and the luscious good times they bathed you in
at midnight or on a weekend morning –
yes, even those

I accept your love and must grow new love to keep it
while acceding to the demands of real love
that implores

Be Thankful, Be At Peace