Poetry 6-29-2023

Distance There is a particle of smoke in the aira memory of a tragedycarried from miles awayfrom a place where someone's worldwas lit on fireand nothing but the traveling ashremainsnow an infinite shudderrippling across the worldof their universe, destroyedmuted with the distanceinto one particleand I wonderwho is tasting my tragedy?on some distant shoredoes someone lift their nose to the breeze, close their eyes inhale and thinkThere's a bit of heartache in the airI wonder who's world burned downI hope they're okay.I hope I'm okay Guilt Someone said to me today,not all guilt is badshe said, you feel guiltbecause you stood up for yourselfbecause you showed someonethat you matter toothat this guilt is learnedwhen we constantly put others' happiness in front of our ownwe feel guilty for not giving away our lightto help them shinewe feel guiltyfor not allowing themto dictate our actions out of fear for their feelingsbut this guiltshould be unlearnedand maybe the true source of the guilt should be reimaginedthat we feel guilty because it took us so longto stand up for our own heart