Relationships of all kinds

Relationships of all kinds

are like sand

held in your hand.

Held loosely,

with an open hand,

the sand remains

where it is.

The minute you close your hand

and squeeze tightly to hold on,

the sand trickles

through your fingers.

You may hold on to some of it,

but most will be spilled.

A relationship is like that.

Held loosely,

with respect

and freedom

for the other person,

it is likely to remain intact.

But hold too tightly,

too possessively,

and the relationship slips away

and is lost.