I once imagined your voice—
deep, steady,
full of the words I needed to hear:
"I love you."
"I'm proud of you."
"I'm sorry."

But those words never came.

You were supposed to be my protector,
my shelter.
Instead, you became a shadow.

I searched for you
in every stranger's kindness,
hoping to find
what I wished
could have been you.

They told me,
"It'll take time."
But how much time
Until the pain lets go?
It fades, yes—
But it lingers,
Like a new wound
Reopened by memory.

I don’t miss you.
I miss
Who I imagined you to be