he said she said

                   he said
                   she said
                   but no one thought
                   to listen

                   couldn't hear the raging river
                   torrents of the heart
                   and no one knew
                   what he was saying
                   sometimes words
                   cannot be uttered
                   couldn't bear to know the worst
                   was the hurt
                   of letting go
                   when he wanted
                   (to hold on)
                   but hers the fault
                   he had to manage
                   couldn't tell the truth
                   was taking
                   from the soul she earned
                   the one she held
                   as close
                   the shade of blue
                   that hides kentucky
                   and shines a frozen pond
                   from eyes
                   that never stopped
                   to look away
                   never had the strength
                   was a world
                   so close
                   just there as they were dancing
                   he closed them then
                   as she did too
                   but for a moment
                   opened wide
                   to somewhere (far away)
                   living
                   they might never know
                   (couldn't speak)
                   but knew it all
                   no way to change it back
                   to unsee what was seen
                   what was given
                   dared the truth to disbelieve
                   he couldn't do
                   she'd never need to ask
                   was only love
                   no more
                   would make up rules to mask
                   the way it was
                   would listen as
                   each bell (in silence ringing)
                   moments slipped away
                   into stories
                   they would tell
                   (someday forgotten)
                   was the way they fit together
                   hand to hand
                   and mouth to mouth
                   a kiss to seal each word
                   they'd never speak

                   he said
                   she said
                   but no one thought
                   to listen