Eyes filled with tears
look at me, sighing reluctant farewells,
while contradictory words swirl around.
I turn my face away
to escape the obsessive deceit in your gaze,
still a victim,
yet also the architect
of so much pain and pity.
I flee from your sorrow
to shield my own,
but your hand clasps me, cold and trembling.
I step back from your call
and drift away.
I will not return, you know,
yet I will never remove
the ring
you placed upon my finger that day,
an unexpected emblem of those tears.