He wants to be forgiven
for memories he may only possess
of moments not shared, not
obviously or intimately.

What never was
just might have been the
principle or pastime
that caused this unorthodox pain.

He finds it easier to write
a common third-person narrative
than to admit my faults, my
needs or my struggle.

His search for wholeness is
an unforgiving quest to find a
semi-natural state in a world of
compromise and deceit.

My self, my view, my impulse
or intention goes long beyond
what I am or have now.
Deeper thought; a deeper longing.

An uncomfortable truth of
which has been comprised of
falsehoods. What is behind his
flawed and fragile shell?

What I don’t often ask is
often what I will not say and if
you do not address this dichotomy
you will end up going silent.

It is not obvious, nor is it
intentional. It is self-preservation
and so much easier than
having to admit this shame.

© 2022 j.g. lewis