empty swings and abandoned dreams
half-filled notebooks and forest streams
the road that seemed to go on forever
broken promises, “always” and “never”
Hell-fire and trumpets, the sun sinking low
secrets told and kept, for only us to know
running and hiding, and closing your eyes
trust and betrayal, the truth behind each lie
a cardboard box, unlabeled and empty
a note on the counter for only you to see
I wish it wasn’t like this, I fought with all I had
but look at what came of it, is it really all that bad?
empty swings and dreams abandoned
we had to grow up, even if we didn’t get all we planned in
we had to say good-bye so we could meet again
if time is our only enemy, let us face it together, as friends
Hell-fire and trumpets, wait for the sun to rise
maybe by then, the tears will be gone from your eyes
the road that seemed to go forever on
it seems like forever that I will be gone
a cardboard box, unlabeled and empty
I look out the window and light is all I see
I wish it wasn’t like this, I fought with all I could
and I’ll promise, if you promise, to let it turn out good
and I’ll promise, if you promise, to let “good-bye” be just for now
I’ll promise, and if you promise, we can show each other how
half-filled notebooks and forest streams
the road that seemed to go on forever
broken promises, “always” and “never”
Hell-fire and trumpets, the sun sinking low
secrets told and kept, for only us to know
running and hiding, and closing your eyes
trust and betrayal, the truth behind each lie
a cardboard box, unlabeled and empty
a note on the counter for only you to see
I wish it wasn’t like this, I fought with all I had
but look at what came of it, is it really all that bad?
empty swings and dreams abandoned
we had to grow up, even if we didn’t get all we planned in
we had to say good-bye so we could meet again
if time is our only enemy, let us face it together, as friends
Hell-fire and trumpets, wait for the sun to rise
maybe by then, the tears will be gone from your eyes
the road that seemed to go forever on
it seems like forever that I will be gone
a cardboard box, unlabeled and empty
I look out the window and light is all I see
I wish it wasn’t like this, I fought with all I could
and I’ll promise, if you promise, to let it turn out good
and I’ll promise, if you promise, to let “good-bye” be just for now
I’ll promise, and if you promise, we can show each other how
This piece has been published in Teen Ink’s monthly print magazine.



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