My People

Those aren’t my people anymore

And I’m mad about it

I’m terribly sad about it

I never wanted to lose them

And I never thought I would

I will definitely miss them

The laughs

The words

The work

The prayers

The emotions

I will miss them

I will miss their support

I will miss hearing about their lives

I will miss the time together

I will miss the hugs and smiles

It will be painful

It will be SO painful

But those aren’t my people anymore

And I just have to accept it

They are on their own journey

And I am on mine

I have a few people left

People who understand

People who get it

They understand

They are with me on this

They’ve traveled this painful road

Though we are a small crowd

I am in good company

There are other people too

People I can’t see yet

At least not clearly

But I can see them

Out there in the water

Drowning and choking

Reaching upward desperately

Like me, they trusted

They thought they were safe

But they were tossed overboard suddenly

And they have no help

They are scared

And they’re shocked

And with eyes wide

Their heads barely above water

They choke and gasp for air

They’re desperate for help

I see them from the shore

And just maybe

I’m holding a life preserver