It’s one simple word,

Some may even argue it’s two.

One word can do more damage,

That is in the span of two years,

It’s a common phrase,

And yet I fear it before it even leaves your mouth.

I don’t want to question when your next appearance will be,

Or whether you will even return at all.

Two syllables that lead to tormented tears rushing from my weak eyelids,

It’s initial opposite shares the similarity of two syllables yet leads to opportunity.

Openness is associated with “Hello,”

It could be a new beginning.

Closure, disappointment, sadness, unexpected, unwanted, sudden,

All of these exhausting, overdone, overused and over complicated feelings still haunt me.

When people leave it's expected,

Thank you for setting that expectation.

Thank you for setting the precedent for disappointment.

Thank you for ruining goodbyes and hellos.

Thank you for leaving me alone,

With nothing but the faint memory of your laugh.

Only to be once reminded of your smile in pictures,

To recollect the memories from journal entries and letters.

Your voice I can’t recover,

Because with that goodbye came no meetings after.

No messages,

No “How are you’s.”

It’s silly of me to expect anything more from you,

It’s long overdue that I stop waiting for that hello.

Yet I can’t say a simple hello

Without anticipating a heartbreaking goodbye.