Like Words

After years and years

Under love's thumb

I am done

Don't ask for my hand

Ask for my tongue

Don't ask for my heart

Ask for the sun

To set 

As we take to your bed 

Ask me questions

I have answers to

I can't fathom you 

and I for years

in tears

over yet 

another case of love

undone

unraveled 

threads of us trailing 

down this road we traveled 

heads and hearts a mess

no, no let's 

just "like" instead

let's be close enough 

to know that love

is not for us

don't ask for me to be 

your sun 

my heart is cold

long ago 

hollowed out 

empty caves that echo pain

no let's be safe

and stay 

at the shallow end 

of these waters

lest we be swallowed 

pull down deep

to a bottom I promised myself

that I'd never have to see

lets stay on the surface

of smiles, skin, sheets

lets not let it end 

before it begins

it's not that I'm afraid 

just that I made commitments

to witness 

life without those rose

colored blinders

that blind us 

and find us

at the end of a dark road

all 

alone

no 

I won't 

do that again 

let's pretend 

for a minute 

for a day 

for perhaps the last 

of these hours

that our wants

line up 

and we are both just us 

two people to equal 

a sum 

of some very good evenings 

afternoons

and even 

mornings 

for me 

and you

to speak over cups of coffee

often turning into laughs

that follow french toast

and making the most

of the space 

in that booth 

both you

and I

and the sticky syrup 

that you have dripped

on my thighs 

shoulders touch 

and eyes meet eyes

and I 

signal yes

and

you can ask to wrap up what's left

you can ask for the check

just don't ask for my heart

there is 

nothing 

left