I could stand the silence If there were nothing left to say, If all our hopes and fears Weren't hidden and tucked away. I could go on forever Just looking into your eyes, Without a single word, No hellos and no good-byes. If only we could say All the things we both want to, Then the silence wouldn't feel as if It were coming between me and you. Sometimes I work up my courage To say each phrase, each word. I know these are the things That are dying to be heard. I want so much to tell you All the things you want to hear. But every time I'm stopped By the anger, the pride, the fear. And so I sit on in silence, And hate myself as I do. I ignore the tension, As I see you do, too. And then our only hope Sinks deep down into my head- I'll always wish I'd spoken All that has been left, unsaid. August 2002