The Distance

the distance between the snap of a twig and a spear throw

the distance between learning language and creating meaning

the distance between a child’s fingers in the palm of the hand that’s holding them

the distance between the stories on the wrinkles of an old lady’s face

the distance between sight and sound

the distance between forethought and hindsight

the distance between holding hands and making love

the distance between umbilical chord and bellybutton

the distance between breaths on a cold night

the distance between the stars and the moon

the distance between i love you’s and coulda-woulda-shouldas

the distance between me and you