Cost Of Silence

By Alifiya Hanif

Act like you're mine

But don't say it.

I love you with all my heart,

So I'm to know it.

I know when the blanket slips off your feet, you grumble in sleep

I know how you take little, lazy sips of your early morning tea.

I know what i see, but how much do i see,

I hear what you say, but your words have been muted since days.

Know your mind like the back of my hand they say

If only thoughts and dreams never went astray.

Now I'm twisting and turning in bed, holding onto my wits,

Guessing and fearing the demons you visit.

My eyes are brimmed with a resounding plea,

Tell me what you think, don't hide it from me.

You stare in them and then you're far away,

Running and stopping and running away,

Not looking back, not with a word to say,

Not noticing how my hand had slipped and the feelings had vanished in thin air.

If only I'd understood the words you didn't say,

If only you'd said without disappearing away.

By Alifiya Hanif