“PRESENCE”

Some of the most beautiful moments of my life…

almost disappeared

because I was too busy

asking what they meant.

A conversation.

A photograph.

A glance.

A confession.

A laugh that arrived

at exactly the right moment.

Before I could even feel it…

my mind was already negotiating

its future.

Does this become something?

Will they stay?

Should I say more?

Am I supposed to feel this?

It’s strange…

how quickly the mind

tries to convert recognition

into attachment.

As if being deeply seen

requires being deeply kept.

I’ve mistaken admiration

for attraction.

Recognition

for intimacy.

Potential

for destiny.

For too long, I didn’t know

how to let a beautiful moment

remain beautiful.

Some people arrive

to remind you

who you’ve become.

Some arrive

to reveal

who you’re becoming.

Not everyone arrives

to stay.

There’s a quiet violence

in demanding permanence

from something

that was only trying

to be present.

I’ve started noticing

that reality

never asks me to rush.

Fantasy does.

Fantasy advertises.

Reality whispers…

“Look.”

“You’re here.”

“Don’t miss this.”

The strange part…

is that the more present I become,

the less I feel

the need to possess.

A moment.

A person.

An outcome.

Even my own certainty.

Maybe that’s what peace is.

Not finally finding

people who never leave.

Not finally answering

every beautiful question.

Just becoming still enough…

to stop spending

the present moment

negotiating

its future.