you took my hand

and asked:
why?
i said:
eventually smiles and
secret glances
no longer matter.
eventually,
it's not enough.
you asked:
why?
and, choking on the tears in my throat,
i said:
because eventually time goes on
and sunlit days spent in shadow
are no longer satisfying.
eventually,
it's not enough.
you said:
but i thought we
--no.
YOU.
yes, YOU.
i bolded those letters.
and mounted them high on a mantle piece in my heart.
i carved them carefully. attentively. lovingly.
so as not to,
in any way,
smear your beautiful name.
so as not to,
in any way,
ruin you.
you said:
we--
i said:
no, you.
you asked, pathetically:
why...?
and i said, finally:
eventually,
i want you to remember me
and know
that eventually
...it's not enough.