Three Years Later . . .

Free Verse Poem

AD & I (left = Me. Right = AD), Saturday, December 21, 2024: Charlotte, NC. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

I dig into hearts–tear away walls,
and break down the turmoil
festering in a tired and weary soul.
She wasn’t trusting before me . . .
It’s hard to let someone in when
the past has shown you more
pain than joy . . . but we are
m a n a g i n g.

We have deep conversations about
life and the difficulties it places
upon us, and I always love
these discussions.
“Life is a conveyor belt
of challenges,” our Pastor
says, and I commit it to
memory because why not have
something encouraging to
share when the proverbial
shit hits the fan?

We chilled. We relaxed.
We appreciated the presence
of the other and Jernee basked
in the glory of her other favorite
person’s smile while I kicked back
and allowed the comfort of the
thick and inviting couch to
envelop me.

Three years later, we glide on
wobbly knees, still cautious of what
to say and often alerted to think
before speaking.
“You are a genuine person. You’re
safe for me.”
I get this . . . I’ve always gotten this–
and it is important to be a place
of peace for people who need it
most.

So, we continue to tread lightly,
but eager to grow into
two human beings blessed by
the beauty of the other–learning
from the other daily.
And as time passes, I pray
we have the strength to
fight the battles brewing in
life’s crockpot of danger.

Lord knows we’re strong
enough to do anything.


Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?