Janice Alone

You are far away from me.
I see you rarely.
The times in between are half-life to me.


Why should it be?
I have a full life.
Yet you magnify everything.


When you are far it all seems small and gray.
When you are far everything seems enveloped in shadow.
When you are far I crave your arms like a ship seeking a harbor.


When you are near I feel alive.
When you are near I bask in your glow.
When you are near I glow.


Why must you go?

Insight

Perhaps one of the reasons the Talmud considers each individual to be an entire universe is because each of us is a universe of experiences, abilities, tastes, talents, emotions, and myriad other qualities.  Discovering a new person can be like exploring a universe, an adventure as exhilarating and invigorating as any.

This morning I was texting back and forth with a new friend.  This insight struck because I said (typed) something tongue-in-cheek that anyone who has known me for a long time would have recognized as such.  She took me quite seriously.  I explained where my comment had come from and she got it.  As we ended our chat, I smiled to think that we are on the brink of discovery.  We get each other in general.  We each know we've found a kindred spirit.  And yet we still have much to share of ourselves, much to explain, much to explore.  My new friendship and the promise it holds truly delight me.  I've been smiling a lot.