Unspoken Words

I won't say that you have changed.

That would be far too simple.

I could really mention

how you don't explain yourself

until an explanation

becomes the apology.

How you let silence just be

without quickly filling it.

How some questions no longer

coerce an answer from you.

I won't say you are stronger.

I only see how you breathe

without first checking the room.

That you can hear a door close

without thinking "its a trap!"

When someone misunderstands,

you don't go changing yourself

for them to understand you.

I won't say that you seem to

have finally found your voice.

Because you just stopped waiting

for others to pause their words.

I won't say you have left us.

You don't call some places home

because you used to sleep there.

You no longer reach for those

who simply are familiar.

I won't say you are at peace.

Yet peace does not seem to need

your permission anymore.

I will not say you are new...

because somehow, standing here,

you look less like a new friend...

and more like the dear person:

the one who was always there...

Finally, taking up space

they never needed to earn.