Couldn’t Keep You

You left your sweater on my chair

Sleeve still twisted where you’d tug it when you’re scared

I keep it folded like a prayer

But cloth can’t answer

It just stares

I replay the same four scenes

Kitchen light

Your tired eyes

My pride between

All the words I never said

They’re shouting now inside my head

Why couldn’t I keep you?

You were right there in my hands

Slipped through like water

I watched you fall through the cracks

I was holding

Holding on

To everything but you

Why couldn’t I keep you?

Your coffee ring on the counter

Faded circle like a promise we disturbed

I still set two plates out sometimes

Then stack the second on the first

All the “later”s turned to “never”

All the “fine”s were stormy weather

You were asking me to feel

I was busy being steel

Was it fear of being needed?

Was it easier to run?

Did I love you from a distance

Till the distance weighed a ton?

If I’d broken first and shattered

Would you still be here tonight?

Or were you already leaving

Long before you said goodbye?