to not know you

to not know you
has been easy
to not know you
has left all that undone
untouched

did you drown in that bottle
did you walk away
to not know you
has been easy

do you cry
any tears
ever
even during the rain
ever

to not know you
has been easy

now
with children of my own
how
can you
could you have
did you
leave
with so few words
and last attempts

to not know you
has been easy

watching young hopes
mine and theirs
all ones you have not seen
to not know you
has been easy

to not know you
has been easy

having any pulse
on what has been missed
on if there has been loss
or gain
is not

to not know you
has been easy

and is
a continuation
and lasting symptom

of what I learned best
to let things be
to leave
to not react

to not know you
has been easy
and is
to not start
to not build
to not resolve

and is
too often my way
in many of my lives

to not know you
to take the easy ways
in too many things
and at too many times

has been easy