I missed out being there for you
the way you needed.
I was doing something else
something irrelevant
even to me
and I’d like to make it up to you
but I’m having trouble
even now
while I’m focusing on it
understanding just what you need.

I can’t tell how much of it
is that I’m shallow
and how much is
that you’re troubled
but I’ve got a funny feeling
that the combination means
that we can’t understand each other right now.

I’ll try again.
I want to help, I do
but only so much.