With your hands around my neck, I can feel my patience snapping. It’s an exhilarating feeling to be the one to break it, isn’t it? Feels as though you’re all I’ve ever known, and yet, we haven’t laughed in years, I’ve made you cry so many tears, and by the ocean’s tide, with my stubborn pride, I hide from all my fears. With every wave, my guilt is washed away, I forget you hold my name, I’m free. With every line that I cast into the sea, there is less hope for you and me. And though I always will remember that day, 30 years or so have floated away. Through rusty picture frames and film grain, we’ve stayed. Our fingers have grown too haggard to hold the matching wedding bands we once adored. Will we hang a white flag from our family tree when our own children decide not to believe in a concept of “we”? I light this cigarette; inhale a sense of confidence in hopes that I can repair stress. Unfinished floorboards support our weary legs. We made this bed and I’ve lost privilege to rest my head until I give this heart from my chest. We skip forgiveness to forget, and often times I feel like maybe I’d be better off in someone else’s shoes. Other times I feel like I’d be miserable with anyone but you. Look into my eyes. See the reflection of what’s inside. I would no longer hide in every wave and every line. I realize it takes a selfless man to say goodbye. Silently pleading with my second self to stand by my side to carry me back from this path I have already walked so far down.