after the catastrophic shifts
(moving out, custody schedules, separate everything)
come the tiny losses
the ones you didn’t anticipate
the ones that continue to chip away at the lacquer of the old life
and complete its transformation.

my newly-8 year old high-fived me goodbye after his birthday party
ran into the backyard that is no longer mine with his brother
smiling and yelling, “Bye, Mom!”
and I, a guest, turned up the block to walk home alone
heavy-heartedly grateful that this is normal for him
knowing it never will be for me.

6/10/26