Always

Patiently I gaze into your pondering eyes,
waiting to hear the words I don't want to hear.
Knowing the reason you are so slow to respond
is because you don't want to hurt me with the truth.

You glance up, but you look right through me
with your eyes of the deepest blue,
trying to avoid the inevitable response to my
long dreaded, hesitantly asked question.

The corners of your mouth quiver with fear
that you will cause me more unneeded pain.
You slowly part those gentle lips that you used
so many nights to kiss away my tears.

Once the dam to your river of thoughts is opened,
your feelings towards me, and all the other truths
that I did not want to hear, com flowing out
like rain into a paper cup, overflowing with pain.

I knew the response was going to hurt,
like a thousand needles being carefully placed into my heart,
but the pain is much greater, more like having
my own heart ripped out while I am still alive to watch.

You slowly turn away, allowing me to grieve in private,
when all I really could ask from you at this point
is to hold me, comfort me, stay true to your promise
that you will be here for me when I need you, always.

--Daryl Molen


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