Ships passing

We use that phrase — Ships passing in the night — 

To describe those occasional connections — 

Sometimes deeply felt, but always brief — 

That have much more potential to impact us, 

If only the currents of life were not so strong 

And pulling us in opposite directions. 

And later, looking back we wonder: what if? 

What if I had resisted that pull to keep on going? 

What if I’d made the time to stop, or turn; 

What if I’d paid attention 

 To the call of that moment; of that person; 

Of that life?