you look at me
the way he used to
before he left

i adore the way you look at me
and speak to me
the way he used to

but i prepare myself for the day
when you begin to realize
why he left
why they all left
and join them
isolating yourself from me

"that won't happen"
you tell me
unaware that those are the same words
i've heard a dozen times
from a dozen people
that are now strangers

i apologize for the panic attacks
i will have
due to the thought of losing you
losing yet another person
i've opened up to

and i apologize for opening up to you
and ruining
that original image
you had of me in your head

please
don't leave