My alternate self

I feel a small pang in my chest

for the would haves, could haves, and should haves. And no, I don’t regret anything.

But there are moments that make me pause and wonder:

What if? What if I had chosen differently?

Because sometimes, I picture my alternate self,

living a life that I left unopened

Is she strolling in that city she was considering, 

her roots torn up and then replanted

Is she happy?

Did it all play out the same 

the same boat, just a different maze?

Or did she struggle to find her peace,

knowing she had lost that one critical piece? 

I know I’ll never know.

But maybe, one day,

I’ll meet her

just for a moment,

from a different side of the road.