For as long as I can remember, I've had a tenuous relationship with people--collectively speaking. My relationships with individual people are for the most part healthy and rewarding, but I've always found people in general to be intimidating and enigmatic. Though not particularly shy, I find that I'm slow to bond, quick to isolate, and generally wary of forming connections with others. I say this as a matter of fact, fully recognizing that--though some of this can be chalked up to personality bent--a portion of it is the result of flaws in my own character.
Several months ago, I began reflecting on the 10th anniversary of our move to New Hampshire. I was surprised to realize that I've lived continuously in this location longer than any other place on earth during my life. The fact seemed weighty (in a good way), and I soon began composing a poem describing some of the changes I've detected in myself over this last decade.
Maybe there's hope for me yet...