her words shatter inside his ears
like carefully dropped bombs
he waits for the cacophony
to die down
before he realizes what was actually said

her choice of words feels
practiced and perfected
like a prepared speech
suggesting this was not an impulsive move
but a carefully planned attack

and in that instant everything dies
every kiss goodbye
every drunken laugh
every ****** impulse
every Saturday morning
naked and alive
every "I love you"

it's like the way we imagine death
where your entire life flashes before your eyes
but this time it's an entire life shared
and there was a time before
and now there must be a time after

before he can collect any words of his own
she walks away
he was not given the same time to prepare