Just Friends

I offered you my heart once,

And you handed it back to be with

an apologetic smile and muttered

Excuses.

Now I need to know-

Were you trying to protect me from

heartbreak?

Were you trying to spare me from your disinterest?

Or were you simply trying to get a nuisance off your back?

My feelings wasted both of our time, but

can you fault me for having wishes?

Your attention and words - your friendship-

Kept hope fluttering within me,

I drove home in tears because

I never knew if

I had a chance.

You said "just friends",

And left it at that.

You knew I kept hoping.

You should have told me

"No.

Thank you.

I'm flattered, but

Not now.

Not ever."

I said just "friends",

Because it seemed to make you happy.

I didn’t want to lose the hope of you.

Now friends is all we can ever be.

My heart was yours if you had wanted it

But looking back,

I can tell now I wasn't offering it to you;

Just a reflection of you,

A funhouse mirror that I warped

To fit my fantasies -

A dream that I dreamed would love me.