Once so Dearly Mine

The words die on my tongue
Abandoned, starved before they reach the surface
And perhaps I’m still too young
But I know tears and I know their purpose
I know this pain that eats at my heart
And I know this strain to say the words I can’t say
A piece of me is dying—as you do your part
To love me ‘til your last breath, and pass on away
It is not that I’ll be alone
This sorrow is not from you leaving me behind
Instead, it’s the shudder and the moan
Of a soul who has lost what once was so dearly mine