A Part of – Apart from

It took them decades to fall into the comforting realization, but they eventually did realize that the only way to really be an integral part of each other was to constantly remember that to make any sense, to feel complete, they must remain apart from one another. 

They must give each other the space to change. To turn like a page, to fall like hard leaves from a tree, marking a season. Or grow gradually lush again on its branches to begin another one. To bloom and to wither inside their own barriers. To become whole only by their own doing, only within themselves. But also nearby each other. 

A part of each other. 
Apart from one another. 

Like chapters in a story. 
Like the sun and the earth.

_{Beisan A. Alshafei}

_{September 28th, 2021}