Lesson

My friends check in on day four of the breakup.

They ask if I am eating,

If I am sad or angry today,

If the waves have left my shore,

If I want him back.

They comfort in their ways

and I feel a love,

a kindness that was always lacking in his eyes.

I say I am doing ok.

I have an appetite.

I made a playlist full of fuck you chants

and I am keeping busy with work.

Really, I want to say, this is nothing.

I have had the entire world collapse overnight,

I have fought in decade-long wars,

I have seen death’s face

and kept moving despite that darkness.

So, I am ok. I am just fine.

In the grand scheme of things,

this is not a loss.

It is only a lesson

and I refuse to mourn

any longer than I need to.

I just want to live now.