I never told you.

I never told you
I was close to tears that day.
That day when rain was about to fall
and the sky was darker than grey.

I never told you why
I walked three steps ahead,
thankful for your hesitation and delayed footsteps.

I never told you how
when you reached out to touch my shoulder
and your fingers grazed my neck
I flinched,
because I couldn't bear the warmth of your palm and
the weight of your concern.

I never told you when
I looked up at the sky, laughing,
my voice louder than usual,
I was hoping my tears would fall in time with the rain
so they could hide among the raindrops.

What I never told you
were my words that the wind drowned out;
the words that were carried away on a current
into an ear they were not meant for

_