WoPoLi

Where She’s @

As an Old Woman

I hear your words. I understand
the pain you feel—
though understanding is not the same as knowing.

Hearing and knowing are two different things.
I am not you.
I will never truly know.

I see your doubts and fears—
your confusion,
your tears.

I answer with my own:
my own tears and confusion,
my own fears and doubts—
not yours.

You say you love me,
but love is hard to feel
when trust between us
does not feel real.

I appreciate your apology,
your regret.
It tells me
you do not wish to forget.

But memory is unreliable.
Truth shifts with perspective—
a gathering of lived moments.

Still, the bond we share,
the love between us—
I believe you care.

I believe it because I choose to,
and because
I know that I care.

Let us try to build trust again,
to mend the bond
we both know is torn.

Yet truthfully,
I do not know how.
And neither do you.

So we pass through
the quiet rituals—
the practiced niceties.

We say we will speak openly,
that truth will strengthen love
and make it new.

But I know
that will never happen.

We love each other
just enough.

Let us not risk
the pain…

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From the blog

About the Author: Sarah B. Royal

Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.

Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.

Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.

Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.

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