When Our Paths Cross Poem by Jim Yerman

PATHS THAT CROSS

After crossing paths with a parent of two of my former students
it instantly occurred to me…
how our paths that once crossed everyday…now cross infrequently

I immediately remembered her smile and how her family always found a way
to make my life a little brighter…when our paths crossed every day

And it made me wonder:

Is it possible the people we meet in life are part of our destiny
that our paths don't cross by accident…but our meetings are meant to be?

Is it possible from each person…certain wisdoms will emerge…
that promise to reshape us…when our destinies converge?

Is it possible we are like two rays of light with intersecting beams
two independent rivers crossing in midstream?

That at the point we cross…the moment our two paths are combined
We capture part of who they are…and leave some of who we are behind?

So when our paths divide…what we had together is not lost…
and we have been forever changed…once our paths have crossed?

Seeing her immediately set a host of memories in me free
Allowing me to look back in time at the person I used to be.

Reminding me of all I gained in the short time our two paths merged…
for this in one of the blessings when destinies converge.

I am thankful our paths crossed…
thankful it was our destiny
I only hope I influenced her family
as much as they did me.