I found an old photo
of three kids faces lit with laughter
back when we thought forever was a promise
we didn't have to keep.
Today, I saw her story,
another cousin tagged, "my whole heart,"
and a little ache opened up,
knowing where I used to be, someone else now stands with them.
I think back to that one day
how I let him into the house,
how I let him leave, though I knew
and somehow it set things spinning,
loosened ties I thought we'd hold tighter,
but I held my silence,
like the stillness could mend what was tearing.
Maybe it's growing up,
the way we take separate paths
and carry different weights,
the way memories soften, edges fray,
until you're left looking at photos that don't quite fit
who we've become.
We all mature in our own way
some wounds heal slower, some walls higher,
and maybe it's better like this,
or maybe it's not.
But I know I'm the reason,
the space between us like a choice I made
without realizing I was letting go.
