I looked for you today.
I waited, then you called, making your apologies.
Your voice was in the ringing of the phone;
I heard your words before you spoke.
I was disappointed, but not surprised.
Maybe I was even relieved.

There's more than time between us
And the duty we feel bound to.
We started out from different points
And traveled with our backs to each other,
Our steps leaving tracks of loneliness.
We each traveled alone,
Rarely looking over our shoulders,
And never at the same time.

Now we're face to face.
Death has offered us a reunion,
Welcome but awkward.
We talk, we embrace, we kiss,
And then we part with promises.