Tethered

Your eyes sparkle as they try to hold back tears

You’re smiling at me without a hint of the happiness I know you’re capable of

Your lips whisper the words that tear my heart in half

“It’s over.”

I stand there nodding

But not agreeing

It’s too late

There’s nothing I can say

You’ve taken the power of speech from me

Along with everything else

And now you’re backing away from me

Pulling the thread that binds us together tighter

Until it snaps

I look down, still clenching my half as though I’m dangling off a cliff

My knuckles white from my attempt to keep you near

My gaze drifts back up to you

Now a figure

The one I love, the farthest from me

You’ve ever been

But…you’re still holding your end of the thread

Refusing to let go…