Take a Chance

You stand there facing me,
just a mere few feet away,
and ask me to close the distance,
but somehow I cannot meet you halfway.

I see all these people around me,
who start the ride with smiles and chatter.
But then it all goes downhill,
and I watch as their hearts quickly shatter.

Then they’re left all alone,
sitting quietly but crying hard,
too weak to stand up again
and try to pick up all the shards.

I couldn’t stand if we were to end.
I don’t want to suffer the pain.
I stand with my feel firmly planted on the ground
as I struggle to find a good way to explain.

I finally compare this all to gravity,
feeling as if I’m so very clever,
because what goes up must come down.
Nothing stays good forever.

I slowly look up into your eyes,
expecting to see you turn around.
But instead you take one step closer,
and your gaze keeps me from looking down.

I understand if you’re scared.
The first step is always the hardest.
The courage you use that one instant
will carry you through the rest.

Nothing comes without a price,
and you may not have money to pay.
But if you know it’s worth it,
you’ll always find a way.

Neither of us if psychic;
there’s no assurance it won’t break.
But there’s always a way to fix it,
whether it’s glue, or love, or tape.

The best we can do is take a chance
and trust each other to make it through.
If you promise to take my hand,
I’ll promise to always be your glue.

As I take a shaky step forward,
you repeat to ease my doubts:
All we can do is take a chance
and believe it’ll all work out.

I finally realize this now
as I listen to our laughter,
that without a once upon a time,
there is no happily ever after.