Perfect Conditions

The sky would never have fallen
if the cliffs had reached higher heights
none of it would have ended in disaster
if only we had been stronger,
better,
more
we confront every hypothetical
with repentance and endless regrets
donning our armor
to face all the things that were never real
we borrow trouble and speak of the devil
creating what never could have been
out of whole cloth and sturdy seams
when our wildest imaginings
would never have come to pass – Caroline A. Slee