the words that got away

the words are running
away from me, far from my open
mouth. I wanted to show you how much I loved you, but I
failed. the words caught us at a bad
time, sweet one, and I only bring peace to you now.
that's all this love will allow:
solitude and loneliness. happiness, it
seems, is yesterday's
talk. yesterday, when the words were within my
reach and not far away, down your
throat, cheering as they sped
through dusty corridors. yesterday was a lovely
time to be alive; to thrive, even.
now all I can do is wilt
as I run, trying to catch up
with the words that got away.

I'm so tired of chasing down these
pavements.