Whispers To An Anguished Stranger

A response to a deeply felt and very revealing public display of distress

If it were in my power
I would put my coat around you
offer you some warmth
and whisper reassurance
that even the worst wounds heal
eventually
leaving perhaps scars
aches that come and go
shrinking and dulling with time

Sometimes a successful life
is having the courage to trust
in hope over experience
having the determination
to seize opportunity
and never succumbing to fear
of what might happen
or the pity of things that have

You only get one chance at life
Death will take you soon enough
So in the meantime
be courageous
for you have nothing to lose but time
and what you might have done with it

Regret and despair
will cloy you to themselves
and you will call them home
You will keep them
in conscientious discomfort
and treasure all their pains
each room a distressing memory
burnished
stored
and lovingly pulled out
for bitter private refreshment
or like rough vinegar
poured liberally for visitors

Only you can walk out on that
just pack what you need for the road
and leave

Now.