Small Worlds

by Caleb Azumah Nelson

She sings these words, knowing that if we’re in this room, then we’ve probably known sorrow, probably known shame. We know death in its multitudes, but we’re all very serious about being alive.

It was there that I noticed I only really knew myself in song. In the quiet, in the freedom, in the surrender.

I look for distractions, worried the memory of our closeness might consume me, might become all I’m interested in.