Take 2.

Take 2.

Let’s do this again. 

This time, I’ll be more cool, more casual. 

I’ll tell you I don’t want to rush into things, and then actually stick to it 

and not get swept up by your promises.

Take 3.

This time, I’ll match your enthusiasm.

I’ll throw my fears to the side,

silence the cautious voice in my mind

and go all in.

Maybe if I mirrored your certainty, 

fleeting though it was, 

it wouldn’t have been fleeting at all.

Take 4

I’ll be more thoughtful.

I’ll cook us lunch the day you don’t feel well, 

I’ll drive us into town to meet your friends. 

I’ll ask you more questions about yourself 

and understand the things that are important to you. 

If I could have a chance to correct my mistakes,

I’d do better 

and then maybe you won’t walk away. 

Take 5. 

This time, I’ll pay more attention to when you could have done better.

Like the time I told you what was important to me, 

and you said ‘of course’,

but then didn’t respect it at all. 

And when you got upset that I wouldn’t do things I wasn’t ready for.

And maybe this time I’ll walk away first. 

Just one more take, 

and we could last forever. 

One more take, 

and this time, I don’t let it get past the first date.

Anything for it to not end this way. 

You gone, 

and me, all confused

and in pain.