Overdue

I sit beneath a colored bridge
The rain comes down to soak my hair
It tickles my forehead and slowly drips
With sliding drops that feel like tears
I sit in peace, there is no rush
My thoughts and feelings rest somewhere
And should they waken in this hush
Then I shall bid them welcome here

Hello, my heart, how have you been?
It's been awhile since last we spoke
A lot has happened to us since then
And if you're ready, we can talk
I'll sit right here and softly wait
Until it's safe for that which broke
To tell the tale behind the gate
That silent keys can now unlock

So many hopes have come and gone
But hope itself has never left
We cast our cares and carried on
The time will come to dream again
For faith has held us safe and warm
In seasons when we felt bereft
His love within confusion's storm
Is what our soul took comfort in

You really loved her, didn't you?
I see it in your eyes
You really wanted to see it through
I know, and it's alright
All your efforts weren't enough
I hear it in your sighs
The choice she had to make was tough
But it's okay, her choice was right

And now, are you still here with me?
Or is the weight too much to bear?
Here, let me hold your hand, and see?
The calming comfort of a friend
Please don't leave, I love you still
I want to hear the hurts you share
Deaths alone can never kill
When love is here with hope to mend

Won't you open up again?
I promise I'll be gentle
I know there's more that stirs within
And when it's time, I'm here to hear
That's the way, come sit with me
It won't be detrimental
To walk the paths of memory
And listen with a tender ear

Once upon a time ago
There lived a lad who walked alone
He lived with many others though
So why the pain of loneliness?
Could it be, somehow, some way
He never quite felt seen and known
In agony the boy would pray
And solace came with heaven's kiss

But over time, he lost his sight
The voices in his head were fraught
With contradiction's constant fight
And all he knew was "I don't know"
He couldn't trust himself at all
And so the opinions of others were sought
His own thoughts infinitesimally small
And everyone else's continued to grow

It took him years to realize
This brew of opinions conflicted a lot
If all aren't true, then some are lies
And which was which? He had no clue
His complex system to understand
And base decisions on what they thought
Was slowly getting out of hand
So what was he supposed to do?

I think I lost you yet again
Let's pause the tale for now
To find you, where should we begin?
Please help me get to where you are
I won't just leave you left behind
I'll follow if you show me how
So tell me, what's been on your mind?
Gather near what once was far

You wish you'd been a better friend
A better brother, cousin, son
But time goes on, it will not bend
To let you touch the moments past
You wish you'd used the chance you had
To speak to each and every one
The way their glory made you glad
And use the voice you earned at last

You wish you had a way to make
The golden memories return
Nostalgia brings a gentle ache
For they were loved, but can't come back
A trail of bread crumbs in the stream
The embers won't forget to burn
And every night another dream
Brings color to a world of black

Thank you dearly for your time
I hope our talk was worth your while
I'd love to chat all night, but I'm
Afraid that we must say adieu
It's time for bed and time to rest
We'll wake again with cause to smile
For I have been immensely blessed
To talk and spend this time with you