(Call it what it is — just don’t call it gone)

(Call it what it is — I’ve been here all along)

I held the line too tightly

Told myself I was being strong

But strength looks different

when your hands are empty

And you walk past the room you once filled with light

Pretending your steps are still music

Still rhythm

Still you

You stood still in the doorway

Like the wind didn’t dare blow past you

Like I was supposed to say something big

But all I had were small truths

And half a song I never finished writing

Call it what it is — I was scared

Call it what it is — you still cared

Call it what it is — I left too soon

Call it what it is — but I still tune

My life to the pitch of your name

Call it what it is — just don’t call it blame

(What it is, what it is, what it always was...)

I tried replacing silence with better habits

Tried naming the feeling something cooler

But healing doesn’t arrive in disguise

And longing wears no costume

So I stopped lying

To myself

To time

To the walls that don’t answer back

Call it what it is — not fate, not plan

Call it what it is — just a woman and a man

Call it what it is — not myth, not trial

Call it what it is — a truth in exile

Call it what it is — I’d still choose this

Even if it breaks like this

(Call it what it is...)

(Just don’t call it gone)

(Call it what it is...)

(Just don’t...)