Life in Color

I saw my forever in your hazel eyes –

something I never thought I’d want:

picket fences, kids on hips,

Dutch oven dinners with friends,

listening every night to you tune your guitar,

easy living in the suburbs near your parents. 

Life in muted color. 

I stood by you and waited

for the moment you’d see your forever in me.

I never became your lover

and we were never really friends.

I was just a fan you used to feel better

about the life you never made happen.

You burnt me to the ground as a proxy

for your hate every time you weren’t the man

you should’ve been, but the only person

standing in your way was always you.

My forever faded in the rear view

as life came into focus

with all its ugliness and vibrant pain.

We collided into others but never each other –

I thought our moment was over

but you knew it had never begun.

Time has washed you away,

but the memory of what was

and what could’ve been lingers still.

The colors shine brightly now –

maybe they always did

and I just couldn’t see life beyond you.