Are you awake?
I want to tell you something 
I couldn’t write about it
Back when 
It was too painful
And writing is reliving
But I remember 
A wise friend said
You don’t love who he is
You love who you thought he was
Who he used to be
And she was right
I needed that clarity
I needed that insight
There were lots of things I needed
But nothing from him
I bought gutter guards 
After scaling the roof once
Just to say I’d done it
I hated how long it took 
For me to realize
My strength
My character
Which never failed me
I knew myself
I knew my happiness
Wasn’t solely dependent on him
I knew my happiness
Came from me
And what I enjoyed
And nothing was ever the same after
That moment
It got better
I healed
And I came back to life
Sparklier than before
I like to think
But with wisdom to sprinkle
With grace
Everywhere

Love from Appalachia,

~Amy

Edited to add from my favorite, Sturgill Simpson.

If you need a friend
Don’t look to a stranger
You know in the end, I’ll always be there
But when you’re in doubt
And when you’re in danger
Take a look all around, and I’ll be there

I’m sorry, but I’m just thinking of the right words to say
I know they don’t sound the way I planned them to be
But if you wait around a while, I’ll make you fall for me
I promise, I promise you I will

When your day is through
And so is your temper
You know what to do
I’m gonna always be there
Sometimes if I shout
It’s not what’s intended
These words just come out
With no gripe to bear

I’m sorry, but I’m just thinking of the right words to say
I know they don’t sound the way I planned them to be
But if you wait around a while, I’ll make you fall for me
I promise, I promise you I will

I’m sorry, but I’m just thinking of the right words to say
I know they don’t sound the way I planned them to be
And if I had to walk the world, I’d make you fall for me
I promise you, I promise you I will

I gotta tell you
Need to tell you
Gotta tell you
I’ve gotta tell you

I’m sorry, but I’m just thinking of the right words to say
I know they don’t sound the way I planned them to be
But if you wait around a while, I’ll make you fall for me
I promise, I promise you

I’m sorry, but I’m just thinking of the right words to say
I know they don’t sound the way I planned them to be
And if I had to walk the world, I’d make you fall for me
I promise you, I promise you I will
I will
I will