you whispered a name over the phone,
that began to hold meaning, little to none,
that made me smile, that made me cry,
a phantom of a human on my tongue.

you held your breath, afraid to speak,
but I guessed what ran through your head,
a head that gently laid upon my lap,
once brought me life, now brings me death.

three words are all you mustered,
not the three you said before you left,
"I love you" maybe, but probably not,
but a lie like "I'll be back."