I Never Knew Poem by Timothy Lee Hollandsworth Jr.

I never knew a word could be so hard.
I never knew I could be so cold in my heart.
I
I never knew I would say goodbye.

I never knew I would have to walk away.
I never knew how I would beg you to stay.
I never knew I could feel so mellow.
I never knew how to keep from saying hello.

I never thought I would watch from a distance.
I never thought I wouldn't give any resistance.
I never thought I would want to forget all we had.
I never thought once that I wasn't glad.

I never imagined that we would become a passing smile.
I never imagined that we wasted our good while.
I never imagined that I'd hear those words.
I never imagined that the silence could be heard.

I never dreamt of a nightmare such as this.
I never dreamt of forgetting your kiss.
I never dreamt of happiness without you.
I never dreamt that misery was meant for two.

If only I had known, I might have kept you out.
If only I had known, you wouldn't be listening to me pout.
If only I had known, I would've been smarter.
If only I had known, maybe things wouldn't be so much harder.

I know what you have to do.
I know what I must, too.
I know why.
I know
I have to say goodbye.