When someone tries to hit me
I fight back
I didn’t worry much in clinic
even when patients yelled
it indicated they were upset
and usually I knew why
Not much fear there.
So what do I fear?
Abandonment
and lies
the one who says they care
that we will be friends
even that they love me
and later walk away
But that has already happened
more than once
and I survive
and the Beloved is still here
and there
and everywhere I am
and everywhere you are
and everything is connected
so there is no fear
and even a chance
that abandoned
I still thrive
____________________
The photograph is from Marrowstone Island in July 2022.