Backing Away

Backing away from a person Someone I love very much Wanted to be there always Wanted to feel their touch Backing away letting them do what they feel they must Knowing the outcome may turn into dust Cannot watch them, can not listen to their termoil again Cannot help them figure it out, this journey that must come to an end. I have been there in different ways I have had to do what I felt against all grain Stand alone groping for answers, yet not hearing them There were those who reached out a hand that I could not hold. I must back away, I must allow him to be free I cannot feel for him and I cannot make him feel what I feel He can only deal with his own heart and his own choices He is a man after all, vulnerable, sometimes beaten with many blows He must pick up his own feet, he must hear the sound of them He can only follow where his heart is leading Even if at times he can see a glimpse of something better Something richer, he must do what he must I cannot birth in him what is in me Unless he can see and unless he knows I must back away and let him go free This man in whom I thought I knew, I suppose.