Long Time No See

Long Time No See Corner café, same wooden chair, You walked in like you were still there. Same brown coat, same tired smile, After all this time, after all the while. My coffee's gone cold, forgotten sip, Just staring at the ghost that stepped right up. Remember walking these streets at night, Your laughter bouncing in the pale streetlight. We talked about forever, dreams so wide, Now forever's just this awkward stride Between us—two strangers sharing air, Who once knew every doubt and prayer. I wanna say hello, ask how you've been, Tell you that these years have cut me in. But words get stuck behind my teeth, Like they're afraid of what you'll see. Should I mention all the nights I thought of you? Or just pretend I'm passing through? My heart says run, my mouth stays still, Just watching you sit down, against my will. Ten years fell between that day and now, Ten years of pretending not to bow To the memory of your voice, your face, Living life inside a different space. But here you are—same freckles, same shade of blue— God, it hurts to look at you. I wanna say hello, ask how you've been, Tell you that these years have cut me in. But words get stuck behind my teeth, Like they're afraid of what you'll see. Should I mention all the nights I thought of you? Or just pretend I'm passing through? My heart says run, my mouth stays still, Just watching you sit down, against my will. I walk over, chair pulls out with a screech, Say the only thing my throat can reach: "Long time no see…"  You smile that smile, say, "Yeah… me too." Coffee's cold… but I don't care… Long time no see… Long time no see…