Just keep walking
The words ringing in his ears
He marches ever onward
Trying to leave the memories behind

Around each new bend
A new start could await
But all he finds is empty promises
Nothing to the fill the void
She left deep inside

Each new path
Every possibility tried
He tries desperately to forget
Not to taint others with her memory

Comparisons aren't fair
To them, to her, to him
But inevitably they creep in
And the world seems to fall short

Not because she was perfect
Or even better than anyone else
But like a puzzle piece misses it's companion
Because nothing else fits quite right

He doesn't want her back
She's happy, secure, and safe
He knows shes probably better off
So he moves on, walking ever forward

Its not a lighthouse in a storm
Theres no foghorn to be heard
Lighthouses warn of danger
Make you turn away without a word

Its not a spotlight to be avoided
Not glaring into your soul
Not trying to bring attention
To every flaw or failed goal

Its a beacon there to guide you
To help you find your way to shelter
No matter what the storm or spiral
When you mind goes helter skelter

You'll never be alone
Thats a promise I won't let go
Never leave you to be abandoned
Come fire, rain, or snow

For now all is quiet
You're comfy snug and warm
And while I'm happy that you're safe
I worry bout the calm before the storm

So if the darkness should surround you
And the clouds start to roll in
Stop and find light I've left
Let it be your beacon

The scab is gone
The scar not quite so vivid
No more clawing to relive the pain
No more needing to feel again
The wound is nearly healed

Through delicate care
And careful protection
And through considerations plenty
The urge to reopen
To feel the blood flow
Has been replaced by a desire to heal

Yet I can't protect it forever
Rmeinders of you are everywhere
They make somethings unavoidable
Including the realization
That my heart still belongs to you

We were never rivals
You learned about me later
But the choice was made
Long before it was vocalized
You were the obvious selection
I never stood a chance
It turned me inside out
Three words were met with two
And then with one
But now it's zero
And in the deafening silence
As I feel myself fade away
I have but one request
Take her to the moon, okay?

The stitches seemed so sturdy
Holding it all together
All was safely contained
No danger of spread or mess
All neatly packed away
No one worried about a fallout
The pieces had become just Peace
With no one wanting to undo it

One dream was all it took
Like a seam ripper in the night
Those stitches came unraveled
And all came tumbling out
The tears, the pain, the tortured silence
I guess that's why REM
Is the end of the world as I know it

The brothers may have said it best
You've lost that lovin feelin
But I've managed to convince myself
My own righteousness is why I stay

Every effort I make
Every swing I take
Misses the mark
And comes up empty

It still haunts me now and then
Some nights far more than others
Opportunities foresaken
Yesterday's regrets last to today

I know I'm far from perfect
And I've never claimed otherwise
But with my persistent imperfection
Seems that I fall short in your eyes

Your heart gives so much
For your friends and family
But I'm always left to question
How much is left for me?

Memories are fickle things
They seem to love to torture
When you desperately just want to forget
Seems memory's fruitage is an orchard

They can seemingly come from anywhere
But they don't need to be regretted
They should still be remembered fondly
Not bemoaned, erased, or fretted

Because if memories were cheating
No one could be loyal
Just because something comes to mind
Doesn't mean your love is foiled

You can smell a smell or see a sight
Even hear a familiar tune
But none of thats a problem
Because he will still love you

So don't hate yourself for your memories
Your love's no passing fad
You can still be loyal to each other
And be grateful for what we had