Ways we are together,
ways we are alone,
how we may find ourselves, at any moment,
far away or cozily at one

We wheel in orbits,
diverge and intersect,
strive to tune our harmonies,
reverberate, reflect

So many broad paths of opinions
can sweep on through us and divide us,
so many hidden little bridges
enable us to close the distance

Within this dance
of taking turns and sharing stories,
with things we say, that people really hear,
we lead each other to a shared oasis,
haloed, safe, belonging, dear

And what we still can’t say
peeks out, and wonders – maybe someday
it can bring its own intimacy –
when we build a safe enough container
that it, too, can emerge into the day.

©Wendy Mulhern
March 20, 2023