Joyful Ruins

It’s hard to leave a place that has so changed you

To say goodbye to something

Like transformation

Those left behind

Will move on

And I suppose I will too

But right now

It feels heavy

I found belonging in this

Odd little Billings

Though I fought

Loneliness

And frustrations

The entire year here

Somehow

Certain faces

And trees

And ponds

And creatures

Certain jokes

And conversations

Made me feel

Like I fit

And it’s odd to reflect now

That I belonged here

More than most places

Because Montana

Is the first place

In a long time

Where I’ve been more me

Than anywhere

So…Thank you for accepting me

Giving me a place to grow

Challenging me to step out

Of my comfort zone

Laughing with me

And validating

My experiences

Giving me home

Even though

I thought I wasn’t at home

I may be choosing to go

But There’s still sadness

In letting go