I always told you —
I’ll never forget you.
And I haven’t.
Even when I tried.
Even when I wanted to.
You were my happiness.
The one I looked for
in every room,
in every laugh.
The only one
I felt that safe with.
I said,
“After college, it’s just us.”
No more best friends
only you.
I believed that with my whole heart.
But I never imagined
that years later,
it would still hurt like this.
You didn’t leave with anger.
Just distance.
Just silence.
And that’s what stayed with me.
Now, it’s the quiet things
that bring you back
A line in a song,
a quote I once loved,
I can’t finish anymore.
They come out of nowhere.
They steal my breath
and put you right in front of me,
when I’ve worked so hard
to let you go.
I want to forget
just enough
to stop hurting.
Not the memories
just the weight.
Because you meant so much.
Still do.
But I need peace.
I need to stop crying over echoes.
You’ll always be a part of me
but not all of me.
I’m learning
to carry you lighter now.
Quietly.
Kindly.
And finally,
free.
—Me