Into My Own Chosen Silence Poem by RIC BASTASA

Ten thousand miles
apart
you too
are my old woman dear
having that
wisdom in your own
right
as mother and
godmother
for me,

there is this disease
(not just loneliness
that slowly is killing us

ten thousand times more
painful
than the measured
distance)

but has not killed us
so far

i am strong, and
you are stronger

ten thousand times more
than what we are
added to each other

we live, and we like to live
more for
ten thousand days more


i see you reading a book

i am setting mine aside

i am sleepy and carrying on

that smile

into my own chosen

silence.