Text Timeline

The tip of my finger, tiptoes
down, deep into old texts
forgetting who I’ve forgotten
outdated communications and connections
reminding myself to remember
this deeply silent holiday season
names I’d never overlook, but outdated
reviewing where we left off last
I smile, cringe, sigh and repeat
In uneven, uncomfortable cycles
scrolling deep, down into obscurity

My finger rests on a name
I chose to release, relieved we’re no longer
engaged and entangled
a swipe left easy to delete, destroy
a connection disconnected by frustration
perhaps next year, this time again
I’ll feel distant, differently
perhaps instinctually indifferent
perhaps forlorn and forgiving
I leave them low and untouched
they get one more year, rent free
in the aching archives of my arithmetical life