I called because you sounded tired. You heard me asking what was wrong. I said, “I think I understand.” You heard me saying you were wrong. So now I weigh the words I use, leave half of what I mean unsaid. And every time I walk away, I hear the whole thing in my head. How did something meant with love become another thing to fear? How did we get so good at talking and so bad at being near? God, I’m trying. Still trying. But some days I don’t know how. I’m trying to reach you. Trying to reach you. Not to win. Not to change your mind. I’m trying to hear you. Really hear you. Can we leave a little space between the lines? You don’t have to see the world the way I do. I’m trying to reach you. Are you trying to reach me too? I’ve watched old friends stop calling over things they couldn’t share. I’ve seen families at one table with a silence sitting there. We read a sentence on a screen and think we know somebody’s heart. We choose a side. We draw a line. And wonder why we’re worlds apart. And I’ve done it too. I’ve judged too fast. I’ve walked away when I could stay. I’ve wanted more to prove I’m right than hear what you were trying to say. And that’s what scares me. Not your anger. Mine. How easy it becomes to stop being kind. I’m trying to reach you. Trying to reach you. Not to win. Not to change your mind. I’m trying to hear you. Really hear you. You don’t have to see the world the way I do. I’m trying to reach you. Are you trying to reach me too? Sometimes I want to stop. Stop explaining. Stop defending. Stop walking back into the room. Let everybody keep their anger. Let everybody keep their truth. It would be easier. I know. Then someone stays. Someone listens. Someone says: “I don’t understand you.” “But I’m listening.” “Tell me anyway.” And suddenly I remember why I’m still here. So I’ll keep trying to reach you. Keep trying to reach you. Not to win. Not to change your mind. I’ll keep trying to hear you. Really hear you. Maybe love is leaving space between the lines. You don’t have to see the world the way I do. I’ll keep trying to reach you. If you keep trying to reach me too. Trying to reach you. Trying to reach me. Maybe that’s where we begin. Again.
