Learning to Live

Hold my hand, you whisper-girl,
and remember how it was,
how it might have been,
should have been.
We should have walked by the lake
and weaved daisy-chains
in the shadow of the ash tree,
laughing the summer long.

What wonders this great world could give,
if only we could learn to live...

I wish we'd seen the sun set
into the glossy lake,
and that I'd handed you my coat
when you started to shiver.
I should have known what you wanted,
shouldn't have worried so much...
how was I supposed to know
you were waiting for my kiss?

What wonders this great world could give,
if only we could learn to live...

I should have heard your voice,
all the words you wouldn't say.
I should have guessed the meaning
of your silence.
We should have loved forever,
not thrashed and bruised each other
until we both collapsed
and fell like sudden death.

What wonders this great world could give,
if only we could learn to live...

Why must we hurt each other,
and why is love just a game
of who can hurt the other first?
I couldn't stand to lose your love,
I couldn't stand to miss you,
and couldn't stand to see you go.
I couldn't stand to lose your love,
and so I never loved you.

What wonders this great world could give,
if only we could learn to live...

(Photo credit: "Couple in the Water" from Indi Samarajiva on Flickr)

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