She perceived that he might be avoiding her,
Yet he was only caught up in his circumstances.
He perceived she was upset with him,
Yet she was caught up in her own as well.
Slowly, in fear of overstepping,
Each cautiously took a step back from the other.
And as they stepped backward,
Another more distancing perception came to light.
Then, without knowing why, it was over.
If only they had found a way to share with the other their deepest fear – rejection.
Then, they might have found their common ground.