The Landline

“Don't go,” he murmured against her lips, holding her close. When he saw the tears filling her eyes, he brushed them away as they fell, cupped her face towards him, and kissed her.

“I know it hurts. But I need you to stay,” he told her. “I can't go on.. without you.”

She didn't meet his eyes, and stood there with quivering lips, her face pressed against the warmth of his chest. Resting his chin atop her head and holding her tighter still, he waited as the tears tumbled down his cheeks and onto her silken hair. Slowly, they began to fade.

The hospital called to tell him her heartbeat had ceased, but they never got through. The phone lines were long dead.

Maybe this time

Your gaze, risque',
Oh but in all the right ways,
takes me in as I stand here soaking,
Pouring tears just to see its raining.

Three more steps, and you can save me,
And maybe if you would just lean in,
you could hear the breaking and burning,
This reticent heart losing all meaning.

"All he did... All he gave, was hurt.
And goodbye was my only riposte.
I wonder, would you hold me please,
Help stop the numbing, help stop the shaking?"

And then in your eyes flashed the years,
It wasnt the rain, I swear they were tears.
Memories of words and radio silence,
And we knew your pain was my connivance.