I am Afraid

Remember
How we all used to talk about our futures?
Somehow that chatter gave way to silence.
Do we hold our tongues and smile because
We are gripping those last grains of sand?

Do you see the blood on my hands?

Remember
How we used to pretend we were grownups?
Imagining life outside of this boring town
Plotting an escape from our abusive homes
But why are we running in opposite directions?

I am afraid
That it won’t take long for the laughter to fade.
Somehow, all of the familiar faces
Will cease to register in our minds
In a year’s time…

Answer me
Will you take a break from your frat parties?
From your studies, from your part-time job?
And sit hours behind your steering wheel
Just to visit that girl from high school?

And will I make the time for you?

Could it be
That we were so hungry to be somebody else
That when we saw the loosened shackles
We abandoned each other for the opportunity
When we should have ran, hand in hand?