The words dripped from his lips like blood from an open wound

Languidly… slowly, filled with pain

His voice strained against his heavy heart

Speechless as he watched her depart

As she faded into the distance, his words found him

“I..” he hesitated, unsure, unbeknownst to her

A tremble. His lips shuddered as tears threatened to fall.

She had been his muse since his boyhood

His first foray into what he would later label as love

He recounted seemingly endless sleepless nights

As her mere presence painted every corner of his mind

And now she was gone, in the blink of an eye

His words caught in his throat and he sighed

There was no point. She was long gone.

And along with her went his purpose.

He crumbled to the floor, holding her locket in his palm

Maybe someday.. his bravery would return.