i listen to your conspiracy theories,
your rationalizations,
your drunk explanations,
your underhanded apologies.

i listen to your complicated stories,
your quietly shared thoughts
your mixed albums
your mimed gestures across the room.

i listen quietly on the telephone
unable to anticipate
what you said
and absolutely shocked

by my response.

i listen to your advice,
your sarcasm,
your songs
i even listen when you're quiet.

i listen to the sound of my failing speakers
unable to fill the silence
that divides us.

no longer is, or ever was, the same.