Years ago someone taught me a writing lesson
not to use ing verbs
or I guess it was a lesson for how to write
without spitting out too many
gerunds and present participles

Why write
I am not crying
while I am looking
at these old pictures
but I don’t think it’s healing

When I could write
I don’t cry
when I look
at these old pictures
but I don’t think I’m healed

Why write
The way I am leaning
How I am smiling
While you are looking
at someone else through the camera

When I could say
I lean
I smile
You look
at someone else

I’ve also had a lesson on storytelling
sorry — on
how to tell a story.

“Tell a story from a scar
not a wound.”
and now, my point is
with or without participling myself
I’m
not healed yet, really
but scabs must be forming
sorry —
must be formed
because
I saw your new pictures
and only a few stirred a deep ache
I studies our old pictures
and I’m almost ready to tell our story

Which come to think of it may be complicated
for you
because I have no way of knowing if you are
wounded or scarred

Psst. I don’t care.