I don't know if you understand
how much it hurts me
to hurt you

how the tear
rolling down your face

burns through me
like acid

how walking away from you
feels like
holding my breath forever

I don't know
if you know

or if it would help
if you did

but if my suffering
eases yours

then take it
as my parting gift;

hold it between your hands
and let it keep you warm
now that I'm not there

and know
that my hopes
for your happiness

are all I have left
to warm me
in the blizzard
of our estrangement.

02/25/2006