Waves Don't Die

Faded

I can tell he's talking, by the way his mouth moves, by the way his lips groove
But all I hear is silence
I strain my ears and focus my gaze
Still nothing--
I don't understand anything he says

He reaches over to link his fingers with mine,
Intertwined
I close my fingers around his but my hand twitches as cold air rushes through my fingertips

His eyes say "I love you, but what's wrong?"
I reply with a blank stare
I used to laugh at his antics with my whole body-- lips trembling, head thrown back, heart thumping
Now my chuckles sound so hollow it echoes with an undertone of an apology

Where's the familiar flutter of my eyelashes as he leans in to kiss me?
What is this sinking feeling in my gut?
I can't return the favor as he whispers three words in my ear

As I understand what I have to do, I gulp with hesitation
With my blade made of regret and remorse,
I finally cut the rope that I had wrapped around his waist
And I let him go

I watch as a pretty brunette takes care of his heart wounds
I watch as she listens and understands
I watch him shiver as she cups her hand against his face,
Her hand on his hand, giving a reassuring squeeze

I watch her tears stream down her pink cheeks as she laughs at his antics
I watch her eyelids flutter as she leans toward him

I watch as she loves him longer than I ever could have,
And I tremble with heartbreak as I understand the realities of it all—
I may have the ability to love like her, but how long can my love stretch on for?
How long until my already limited love becomes faded?