A Study in Goodbye

A Study in Goodbye

And you look at me through your cigarette smoke
Serious eyes, about to speak, and I focus in
On the eyelash on your nose, just a little to the left and
I smile, smile through the smoke,
Breathe in what you just breathed out,
Like breathing in a part of you -
It's been inside your lungs and now I share it,
Sweet, sweet, sweet - oh but I should be listening!
(Don't sweat the small stuff)
And you're staring at me so intently
But I want to reach out,
Reach out and brush that eyelash across your cheek,
Place it on my fingertip and blow
And make a wish - oh, what, what, what if it ends like this?
Why, why, why am I afraid of your eyes?
Don't look so serious - you'll make me cry!
The skin of your cheek, my fingers stroke
Small black streak in a puff of smoke
But I didn't get my precious wish,
Only a string of words that I didn't want to hear,
Well-rehearsed, short and clear;
You walk away, leaving me with half a smile
Still waiting on my lips,
Tears in my eyes, breathing in
The smoke you left behind
And no last kiss.