distance

too many days
the miles between us
are too far;

the phone is there,
we can share our faces
on screens;
it's good,
but it's not enough;

it isn't the same
as that big hug -
being wrapped
in your reassuring arms,
where I know
there is only safety and love,
where for a moment
the world can't touch me -

distance is easy,
a convenient excuse
we adopt 
as a second skin
to paper over
the holes in our lives,

we need to shed it

FaceTime

a joyous laugh
tickles the air -
a golden haired child
at play,
oblivious to the heartaches 
of the world,
caught only in the pleasure
of this moment

the call ends
and as the picture disappears
a small voice cries 'bye'

a heart breaks
at the distance,
full of feeling, longing;
it holds the beauty
of that innocent smile