“For the longest time”

For the longest time I covered my ears,
and refused to listen,
to the farewell that was gently whispering.
For the longest time I closed my eyes
and turned blind
to the end that was slowly happening.

For the longest time,
I could feel the string getting brittle,
weaker—
the knots were loosening,
and one by one
they kept on unravelling.

For the longest time I tried to hold them tighter,
to resuscitate whatever was left.
I convinced myself
there was something I could do
to stop it,
to keep you,
to save us,
when
for the longest time

I knew there really wasn’t anything left to do
but let you go.

— Gecille Elido