The Greatest Heartbreak Of All

Jackie said,
“So now you’ve seen
that it exists
the kind of love
that just eases its way
into your life
and is not about
your head in the clouds
your pulse racing
your heart
beating
like a sledgehammer
or doing crazy things
like shouting it out
from the tops of buildings

and you can’t un-see it

but this love
this one you’re looking at
is not for you
and you just have to
acknowledge that you saw
a possibility
from the other direction

and yes, I know
you weren’t actively looking
but you were painfully open
and you could have tried
and, admit it to yourself
that though you could have succeeded
you could also end up conceding
that it’s more difficult
than you could handle

and yes,
not knowing the answer
either way
is the greatest heartbreak of all.”