The day you said goodbye
I took a forty minute shower
For forty minutes, the scalding water stripped your memory from my body

Ten minutes passed, the salt from your lips dissolved
Twenty minutes passed, my chapped skin renewed
Thirty minutes passed, the bruises seared away

The last ten minutes, I pressed my steaming flesh against the tile wall
Hoping, praying, begging by silent heart to forget
The red flushed to white and the fire ebbed away

The day after you left
I took a walk to clear my head
To replenish the oxygen long gone from my veins

My desperate heart still beating away
I walked and I walked, but I never saw
I walked and I walked, but I never found air

Two days after you left
I took a trip
A trip to see a friend almost forgiven, but never forgotten

Wrapped in arms, I let myself break
I let myself crack
I let myself fall

Three days after you left
I took a secret wrapped in an envelope
Abandoned it on your doorstep and prayed you wouldn't call

Not looking back for fear my heart would trip, I was gone
Not looking back for fear you wouldn't be waiting, I was gone
Not looking back for fear of what I'd lose, I let go