Safe Distance

Untouched memories,
increasing distance.
Fond images of us
that we both remember,
but are too scared to face.

When we talk
there are a lot of things left unsaid.
the nagging silence,
the neglected words,
the avoided emotions.

Like a game of hide and seek
we both wait,
and no one seeks.

Hiding under the facade of friendship
well maybe not a facade,
but a shield,
a barrier between where we are
and where we want to be.

We are friends,
always have been
but a lack of contentment exists
we see it,
we sense it,
we evade it.

We want something more
but who will take the chance,
who will be brave
not me,
not you.

Neither wants rejection
and both crave approval
love,
acceptance,
attention.

The emotional tension
hangs between us,
it disregards the distance
pays no mind to the space
it lingers,
it waits.

Waits for us to acknowledge it
but we wear our masks of unattached disposition.
Like suburban neighbours
we take interest in each others lives,
sometimes feel jealous,
but are quick to feign a lack of attachment,
pretend it is nonexistent
force it to be fictitious.

Cowardice over emotional growth
fear over love
so comfortable in our current situation
we are used to this uninteresting play.
The writers of our own destiny
with hearts on hiatus
as they try to escape the truth,
escape what could be
in exchange for a safe distance from hurt.