Guide Book

I didn't want you to hide,
you would have a broken heart forever,
and I didn't want that for you,
or me,
or anyone,
for that matter,

but hiding meant I'd never see your face,
that the lines would grow and I would notice,

that the fissures would feel like gaps between canyons,
like drops,
like things we didn't want to transverse,

and I knew that wouldn't be the case if you'd let me see you,
instead of forcing me to adjust to the impact absence and evolution,

but even explaining this,
was driving us further apart,
with you more in there,

and me without the key---