but for a change in direction

if i had gone to the north and east
instead of to the south
we may never have met

we might have lived
for a time in closer proximity
breathed in some of the same
atlantic winds, experienced
similar snowdrifts

we may never have met
in the way that we did

perhaps our stars would
have aligned differently
so that we would not have
found each other at such an
inopportune moment

perhaps instead of being crossed
our stars would have aligned orbits
and we would have found ourselves
dancing instead of pushing and pulling

we might have been friends

i might not keep you
in that place in my memory
i do not bring to the present

everything might be so different

i could not, would not ask for that
but i do wish for things
to be a little easier
i do wish i knew how
to make them so
i do wish i knew how
to do more than wish.