The Space You Left

You left not chasing skies unknown,

But walked away from me alone.

Not off to college, dreams, or flight,

But toward a home that felt more right.

And though I tried to hold you near,

You packed your things and left me here.

Not every tear is born of loss,

Some fall from love that bears the cost.

Of knowing, though I gave my all,

You still felt distant, small, or stalled.

I won’t pretend it didn’t sting,

To not be your safe place, your wing.

To see you go not just to grow,

But just because you’d rather go.

Did I fall short? Did I press wrong?

Was I too loud? Too right? Too strong?

I count the ways I might have failed,

In silence, where your voice once sailed.

Yet still; I love you. Still, I wait.

No locked up heart, no shutting gate.

Whatever made you choose this side,

I’ll stand right here, arms open wide.

For love’s not less when love is bruised,

Or when a mother isn’t chosen, just used.

It hurts, it breaks, it makes me bend,

But love like mine won’t ever end.

So when the road gets hard or strange,

Or if your world begins to change.

Know you can always turn around,

My love for you is solid ground.