Building up,

      postponing the pain

      living in the moment, avoiding the harsh truth.

Lying to yourself,

      maintaining your composure,

      breaking is not an option.

Incessant flashbacks,

      pleasant hobbies begin to twist,

      transforming into harsh used to be's, jagged memories.

The day arrives,

      holding it together, accepting your fate,

      emotions boiling threatening to spill over.

Time passes,

      quality time is wearing thin,

      goodbyes and hugs envelope the moment.

Turned around,

      thoughts twisting tightly,

      uttering the final goodbye.

The last moment,

      you'll share with your closest friend,

      s l o w l y spins out of view.

In the rearview mirror...

Stomach unsettled,

      the fear of falling apart takes over,

      sparing others the emotional detail.

Trying to hide,

      concern and hollow promises waft in the air,

      suffocating you more with every "Are you okay?"

You are not okay,

      but you'd never admit it,

      you're stronger than that.

Eye contact,

      you're gaze gently taken over by theirs,

      vacancies filled in a simple glance.

You need them,

      craters form on your being with the thought of being alone,

      losing another so close to you would be too much to bear.

Your break,

      the thought of everything slipping away engraved in your mind,

      emotions flood and resolve in salted tears.

The release,

      tumbling into the comfort those around you allow,

      s l o w l y watching the regain of composure.

In the rearview mirror...