Freedom in Finality

by Mike Hetzler

you snuffed dust
from the table
and took on
honest eyes

i feel so lucky
that we get to be here

not a celebration
more a savoring
of clarity

others in the room
made trivial sounds
they couldn’t have
worked harder for denial

i took a dose of fear
to blot them out
you just lived
comfort in the moment

i wanted to ask how
you got there but
i already knew
it took a great deal of pain.