That’s the pisser—
the dilemma with no
easy resolution,

no good answer:
when to hold on,
when to let go.

We are a holding-on
species, reluctant
letter-goers,

especially when our
tender hearts
ache with loss.

We want this one
back, never wanted
that one to go,

the clench of grief
squeezing the woulda
coulda shouldas

of regret. Let us sigh,
pen little love notes
onto sticky squares,

and tuck them into
a handmade blue
urn, gently settling

the lid on top, and
sigh again, hoping
that with time,

the messages may
grow wings,
alight and find

their way to those
who need to hear
the I miss yous,

the I’m sorries,
the I wish I hads,
the I love yous,

the thankyou
thankyou
thankyous

that we can
never say
enough.