tender places

she emphatically justified a decision
just a choice
to go or not to go
yet the shadows it cast are long
a missing face
an empty place
and deeper still a wound
like words you can't take back
we seldom weigh our acts
not knowing or not caring
how long they may linger
i find the days grow shorter
i find my memory grows dim
yet in an instant it can come
a finger pressed
a tender place

we can't live on eggshells
our feet are too soft
perhaps we can instead
bring healing where it's needed
maybe staying, praying, waiting
our gentle hands used lightly
quick to forgive
slow to offend
maybe next time a different choice

is my comfort worth your pain?