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the path
from pain
to peace
is a loop
or maybe
a pendulum,
we all endure
alone and
together.  

these poems
sometimes feel
like weapons,
unaware of the
collateral damage
inflicted. errant
shrapnel. embedded.
rending old scars.

i talked to you
on the phone today,
and you told me that poem
made you feel sad.
we discussed
truth and memory
public versus privacy
fiction and secrets
a poet’s responsibility
to be honest.

how none of our stories
ever belong to any one of us.

the path
from pain
to peace
is a loop
or maybe
a pendulum,
we all endure
alone and
together.  

these poems
sometimes feel
like weapons,
but they never
meant to be.