Its the transitions that always get us.— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —
We love and then things change;
love’s there, …love’s gone.
We churn on about who and why and how,
but they’re not relevant.
It’s just the changes that have meaning
and the rest is simply
reflections of our pain.
There’s comedy, pathos, and lies
woven from many sides, here.
There’s the moment, so transient
and so bitter, at once.
And there’s the refusal to accept
and the agony of despair
and then … slowly, a profound clarity
as perspective finally comes,
and then a long healing.
gallagher
23 Nov 85
– in Westminster mall walking with Christopher, age 5.
1985-11-23
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1985-11-23
I feel hammered and rinsed today.— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —
My nerve endings over-fired
lie now, slightly numb.
The lack of sleep, the tension,
this cold, these rapid transitions
from love to storm and agony
and back again
leave my eyes stripped of masks.
From the battles of the heart
with my ears still ringing
I’ve come here.
gallagher
23 Nov 85
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1985-11-23
I’ve learned that for some people— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —
love is not the most important thing.
For Lise the opportunities and advantages
offered by Anthony outweigh love.
An exquisite truth in that I’ve never
followed the path of love
this far before.
But isn’t it always here,
on the edges of our experience,
that we find life’s surprises?
This isn’t fair to Lise;
I cannot know her true motives,
only their effects.
gallagher
23 Nov 85
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1985-11-23
The storms still rage I’m sure, but comes the lull.— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —
I can see just a bit of the possible future;
Lise and I, Anthony and Lise,
two men, one woman.
I’ve been here, I’m no stranger.
Drop the conflict and go with the flow.
If she chooses one or the other in her own time
then we’ll deal with it then.
Until then my pain has begun to diminish
as I recognize the transition ending
and the new ground is familiar.
Welcome, Anthony.
And hello, Lise, new again.
gallagher
23 Nov 85