Letting Go

i’m learning how

to let go

of all the things 

that might have been

instead of dwelling in

the changeless past

where illusions

of possibility

crush the bones

ensnare the heart

and poison the mind

to the present

i’m learning how

to embrace

all the things 

that were and are

and who they’ve made me

instead of wishing i

were someone else

without all of my

dark places

broken pieces

and scars

of shame

i’m learning why

i must let go

of all the things

i longed for

instead of living in

perpetual disappointment

and paralyzing grief 

where bitterness thrives

sorrow wearies

and anger devours

the soul

i must let go

because if i don’t

i will despise the hand that made it so

i will miss the good of the now

i will always wonder what if

i will regret the past and fear the future

i will never be truly whole

and i will be consumed

by a life that was

never 

meant

to 

be