Carol A. Hand

You tried to take it all

but it was never enough

to fill the insatiable void

you carried deep within

Ultimately you taught me

a valuable lesson

*

*

Detachment –

the art of letting go of my ego’s needs –

for attention, relationships,

approval from others,

or holding on tightly

to anything I loved

*

Unencumbered I was free

to live my life as I pleased

The gifts I’ve given freely

bore the fruit of a worthwhile life

and helped my spirit grow

in ways you may never know

*

*

You say you’re proud of my accomplishments?

We’re family and I should listen to history revised?

Naw… I’m done with that.

Compassion, forgiveness, and wisdom don’t require one

to continue a charade based on illusions

as a partner in the dance of perpetual mutual rewounding

*

What I can give you out of kindness is distance and space

and my sincere wish that one day you will discover

and learn to celebrate your own accomplishments

*