This Year.

This year, I learned

the meanings of many words

words that fill the heart

and words that leave it empty

 

This year, I witnessed

the view from earth’s highest mountaintops

and the view from its lowest depths

 

This year, I realized

whenever brightness fades away

you live when you bask in the darkness

you die if you chase the light.

 

Last year, I was someone

And I wonder and I wonder

If I would recognize her today.

Because she feels like such a stranger now

 

This year, I learned

the meanings of many words

words that fill the heart

words that leave it empty

but I learned them all

I learned and I learned and I learned