Right Next to Me

To live in a time of wires, airwaves, satellites
We can touch each others’ minds
When we play catch with our thoughts
Across time and space
Shrinking this planet for our kind

I’m grateful for this worldwide phenomenon
Because when there’s this many spokes
Radiating from each of us
With so many potential lines for communication
Even one like myself can find a connection
Or three, or more 
In a sense, no one is ever too far away
As long as we’re caught in the same web 

But this isn’t always quite right
The connection isn’t quite real
It feels tenuous, temporary
As if it could vanish any moment
And any word spoken could be the last 

Maybe I’m wrong
I’m often wrong about so many things
What I’m confident about is how
Life is somehow a little more calm
A little more happy
A little more right
While hearing you speaking  
And seeing you standing
Right next to me

January 8–10, 2025