When someone says no

When someone says no,

even if there is disappointment,

there is always some relief

to be able to set down what you had been holding

Especially when you had held hope,

beyond the extent that was prudent,

Because you don’t actually want to be the one

carrying all of the hope

You want enough to carry you to a midway point

and to find them arriving just then

looking for you with hopeful eyes