Loraine Lotter (South Africa)

I can still feel the tearstains on my face,
the brush of your thumb as you wiped them away,
the whisper you spoke and the look in your eyes.
You told me you loved me, so why’d you say goodbye
that night?

I reminisce each moment we had;
the glaze of the rain sparkling off the footpath,
the feel of your heart beating through your t-shirt.
When your lips touched mine I forgot the whole world.

But now I’ll stay,
stuck in the spot where you’ve left me,
and all I’ve got left is this bleeding, open wound.
I never thought it would come so soon.
I never believed that I could lose you.
You were everything I ever knew.

I still recall the scene in your car;
when you reached and grabbed a hold of my heart,
the smell of the sea as we walked to the beach.
You didn’t like swimming, but you did for me.

And I loved your rhythm whenever you danced,
the embrace of your arms and the touch of your hands,
how you managed to make me forget whatever you did wrong.
Our sweet disagreements, one kiss and it was gone.

But now I’ll stay,
stuck in the spot where you’ve left me,
and all I’ve got left is this bleeding, open wound.
I never thought it would come so soon.
I never believed that I could lose you.
You were everything I ever knew.

So I’ll hug the pillow that you used to sleep on every night,
And I’ll keep all your things just in case you change your mind,
And I’ll go to all our old spots with the hope of seeing you one last time.
I hope you’re doing fine.

I can still feel your breath on my face,
but I hope the sun shines and you’re doing okay,
and if you might realize I’m the one that you miss,
you’ll say you’re sorry and give me one more kiss.

So now I’ll stay,
stuck in the spot where you’ve left me,
and all I’ve got left is this bleeding, open wound.
I never thought it would come so soon.
I never believed that I could lose you.
You were everything I ever knew.
Now I’ll never not love you.