This poem was written to the prompt “The things I never say.” The action was to write a poem about a conversation you haven’t had with someone who needs to hear it.


I Want to Say

I love you.
That truth stands firm,
affection and loyalty
built on years of
you having my back.

The same is not true
from me to you.
I am here.
Have always been here,
waiting for you to confide,
to ask for help,
to need me
as I have needed you.

Your silence feels like
my failure.
I do not doubt your love,
only that you trust me
to hold your secrets,
to take your hands
and lift you
when life drags you under.

Instead, you tread water -
alone.

But I understand.
You built your strength
stone by stone,
heartbreak by heartbreak,
so that nothing
could break you
ever again.

Now a wall of fear
surrounds you,
anxiety ever-present,
a chain that keeps you home,
cutting off connections,
anticipating contact
as a risk,
imagined dangers lying in wait
just outside your door.

Our friendship
grows ever quieter.

My fear:
you will one day sink
into the darkness
of your own making -
voice silent, hands raised -
realizing too late
you didn’t have to
do life
alone.



Poetry by Melinda K Zarate The PoetBay support member heart!
Written on 2026-02-27 at 15:45

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