dear stranger

And I’ll grieve because —

We almost had it all.

But you are not yet the kind of person

I want to end up with.

No matter how much I want it to be you,

The time is not right.

And I know I hurt you

As you hurt me.

But I couldn’t compromise

My books, career,

Standard, pride,

And principles.

So I got scared,

Wrapped myself in work and responsibilities,

Carried the weight

Of what was unspoken.

Whenever I think I hear your voice,

I think I’ll always look for it in the midst of the crowd

And go back to the front door where 

I used to wait for an hour with love and patience.

Thus, I raise my white flag,

Pull out the battery from the clock,

As I look back at the door where I stormed out from

Not knowing it was the last time.

And I’ll forever grieve

For the kind of yearners we remain to be

And for the love we lost…

I lost.