The Way You Read But Don't Stay

yeah… I notice it… (I always notice it)

you read my messages fast

but your replies don’t land the same

like you’re there for a second

then gone again mid-name

you type… then stop… then delete it

like the words don’t feel right

and I don’t say anything about it

but I feel it every time

you’re here… but not fully here…

the way you read

but the way you don’t stay

the way you see me

but drift away

I notice it in the silence

between what you say

the way you read

but you don’t stay

don’t stay… don’t stay… (why?)

don’t stay… don’t stay…

you used to over-explain everything

now it’s just short replies

like you’re saving energy

for somewhere I can’t find

and I wonder if it’s me

or if it’s everything else

but I don’t ask you

cause I don’t want the answer itself

so I just watch it change…

the way you read

but the way you don’t stay

like you’re already halfway out

before I even say your name

I see you here

but not in the same way

the way you read

but you don’t stay

maybe you don’t even notice

maybe it’s just how you cope

but I feel the distance growing

in every “lol” and “hope”

you’re here… you’re here…

but not really here…

the way you read

but the way you don’t stay

I keep talking into silence

that learns your shape each day

and I don’t know what changed

but I feel it anyway

the way you read

but you don’t stay

yeah… I notice it…