And if I never say the words
I almost said a thousand times,
remember how I said them
anyway—
how I whispered in the silence
the things I long to scream,
in rhymes,
how I blew kisses for you
across the distance,
across the miles.
For in the darkest of nights,
I still found you
and cradled you in my arms;
remember I will always
keep you warm.
Every morning I greet you
and before you close your eyes,
remember how you wish
you could flee
from the confines of your room
to be next to me.
If I fail to say the words
before I run out of time,
remember how I told you
of my crimes,
how I showed you my scars,
and how you touched them
gently
from afar.
And when the rain is pouring
too heavily,
remember, I will be here
to be your canopy.
For each time I make you smile,
each time I draw out
your laugh,
remember that for me,
it is more than enough
to get me through the day
and when nights are rough.
And if I cannot yet
say the words
you’re not ready to hear,
remember I will always be near;
when the time is right,
I will so recite
the words I can no longer
keep out of sight.
But if I never say the words
I wish to say a million times,
remember how I said them
in every way—
how I’ve been your ambient sound
when it was too quiet
or too loud;
remember I will always be
around.
If I Never Say the Words
February 8, 2022
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