On Trusting

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You could, at any time,

crush me

inadvertently,

with a look

or a phrase.

Yet,

we find ourselves in this position

by way of

invitation.

Step right up,

take your coat off,

stay a while.

Unvarnished,

and in confidence,

our inner machinations

laid bare.

I could,

at any time,

disappear.

But there’s nothing to

run from.

I see the rust in your joints,

you ascertain that I

have bugs in my software.

It’s in our nature

to ask until we know,

but knowing isn’t understanding.

Trust cannot be simulated,

or substituted,

only experienced.

In so doing,

we could —

without realizing it —

lift each other up,

just by being ourselves.


Maybe You Were Right

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Doubt seeps in

through the tiniest crack,

and contaminates everything.

It shrivels up,

whatever it’s touched-

leaving behind stains,

and an awful smell.

What can rejuvenate

what it has poisoned?

Only trust does that.

Swallow your pride,

say begrudgingly,

“maybe you were right,”

I guess.

But be preemptive,

plug the holes first,

so it can’t percolate.