Walking away with a smile

 Ah, a deep sigh

The release

The relief of honest steps

That walk away 

The knowledge that tolerance

That patience 

Are mine to give

And also, they are mine

To take away

The cumulative 

Heaviness of all that

Giving

…And giving so much

Created leaden feet formed by

Dragging through the mud

Of proving yourself

Through your endurance

An endless supply of kindness

Made useless, like a Band-Aid

On a gunshot wound

Leave your shoes behind

In that soul-sucking muck

Let them go! 

Feel that freedom of movement

The joy of AWAY, AWAY, AWAY!

Reconcile yourself with this truth

Your self-worth is not measured 

By his failure to handle intimacy

And intensity

And depth

No more mistaking 

Need as my responsibility

Bare feet hit that path

Releasing attachment

Feeling the beauty of space

The strength of resolve

To give when it is mutual

Step away when it is not

You’re out of the swamp

You’re on solid ground

Valuing steadiness

Consistency

Respect

Let them meet you there