How many lives will we squeeze into 50 years or 100?
Which traces will we leave below ground?
Whose budgeted affections will we overextend to then regret our hasty indulgence?
Which personal histories are you writing today?
Looking back, how long did you keep your eyes closed?
What do you hear when I call your name?
We were younger but not smarter, where was our mistake?
I’m glad for you, really. For the life you’ve made. I keep saying, it makes sense. What am I not saying?
It’s possible to be happy with less. Who else is ready for that lesson?
What we saw in each other, it’s still visible after all, right?
Memories are untrustworthy. Thank you for remembering me.
We’re not done. We’re still growing. How’s that working out for you?
Sherri's Slice of Life Project 
This reckoning – it’s deep and sharp and pointed. And yet, like your title suggests, you’re gentle at the same time. And all of these questions…wow. Each one of them deserves for us to stop, and read, and think. Each question deserves our full attention and consideration. I’ll carry this one with me, especially: “Whose budgeted affections will we overextend to then regret our hasty indulgence?”
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Thank you, Lainie. These really spilled out after a momentous and moving meet-up with a past loved one. It was a piece of healing and that’s the great relief.
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You’re welcome. And healing, in whatever bits or shards it may come, is always a welcome relief.
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I’m feeling this right now with a friend: “Whose budgeted affections will we overextend to then regret our hasty indulgence?” Especially the “budgets affections” part – this friend is always saving room for others who might show up and be more interesting. I thought I’d be better at dealing with this by the time I turned 50. LOL
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This poetic questioning reveals a bit of your inner life and leaves room for the reader to ponder about their own life. You know your way with words.
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