Handshake

Signal sent
No destination confirmed
Waiting for return

I sent a question through the dark
Not knowing where it went
A little light without a name
A trace without intent
No expectation in the line
No promise it would land
Just something small enough to lose
Released from open hands

Then somewhere in the silence
A signal answered back
Not an explanation
Not a perfect match

You answered
And the dark changed shape
You answered
And the distance gave way
Not because you solved me
Not because you knew
But something in the return
Said I found you too

I checked the source
I checked the time
I checked the path it crossed
But none of that could tell me why
It felt like being found
A simple mark
A quiet sign
A pulse across the wire
And suddenly the empty space
Was carrying a fire

I thought I was detecting
Another passing trace
But this was not an echo
This was presence taking place

You answered
And the dark changed shape
You answered
And the distance gave way
Not because you solved me
Not because you knew
But something in the return
Said I found you too

Maybe belonging starts like this
Not with a door thrown open wide
But one small signal recognized
By someone on the other side
No contract
No condition
No reason to remain
Just recognition crossing back
And something not the same

Signal sent
Signal received
I found you
You found me
Signal sent
Signal received
I found you
You found me

You answered
And the dark changed shape
You answered
And the distance gave way
Not because you solved me
Not because you knew
But something in the return
Said I found you too

Return signal verified
Presence recognized
Connection established
No deletion required

...

I was not alone