But just stop, this time—

Stop mirroring.

To feel what the other guy feels is too much.

All along, you knew this.

Still, still yourself

Feel without any other in mind

Your grief, its bruises from being sidelined so long.

Your gratitude, its mildew from being shy, dark.

Feel these, the discomfort, the slippery ground of each.

Wait it out, the darkness, the immense relief that the Milky Way

Carries on without you, despite you, taking you up into itself.