Time has passed

No longer are you holding her hand

Or walking by her side

No longer are you laughing with her

Or singing as she falls asleep

Because time? She is gone, like the breath of a man walking by on a cold winter’s day

And distance? She is no longer a way to remember how you used to feel, only growing larger every day

And love? Well, she had been leaking out the edges long before you physically left

How did I know to ask you to stay? How did I know you would really go away?

Who was I to question anything my parents say?

Time has passed

No longer are you scolding him

When he's being a brat

No longer are you running with them

When they want an adventure

Because time? She is gone, like the shadow of a child on a bright summer’s day

And your story? It’s oh so different now that you’ve cut out all that used to matter most

And a life? Well, I doubt you had one before or after, but continue living anyways, hurting anyways

How did he know to ask you to stay? How did he know you would really go away? Who were we for you to have so casually thrown away?

Time has passed

No longer are you walking her to your doorstep

Or helping her into the car

No longer are you beside her

When she needs someone to laugh with her at parties

Because time? She is gone, just as the sun sinks below the horizon every day

And safety? She would have been all you had if you had stayed

And your soul? Well, it’s as broken as it will ever be, crumbling away in the wake of your actions

How dare you become the shell of a man you told yourself you’d never be? How dare you burn this bridge called family? Who are you to leave behind her and him and me?