We sit across the table

cards tucked close

both holding something back.

I ask if you have what I need

and you lock down

shake your head with a small smile

I draw another, hoping this one fits

but it’s just another card in my hand.

Some days, we seem close

matching here and there

a piece that lines up

a moment that clicks.

Other days, it’s just shuffling

the wrong cards given away

both of us guessing

a little tired of asking

a little afraid of what’s left.

But we play on

passing cards

each one a question we can’t answer.

We don’t know if we’ll ever hold

the perfect hand

but we keep reaching

as if maybe, by the end

we’ll find something whole

in this mess of cards.