it had to be you
By: Meghan Coley
Kid, here, looking at you,
I have to be careful with the words I use,
for our hourglass of precious time
is slowly sifting sand, and I’m
aware this goodbye is anything but good.
It rather feels as if it should
be the end of me,
and, as time goes by, we’ll see.
But now that damn plane’s far too loud,
reminding me you’ll disappear in a shroud
of the clouds clinging to our coats,
while I feel the need to take notes
on the way your hat sits on your head,
and the beauty of tears you’re trying not to shed.
I may be accused of inventing fairytales
after you’re gone and examine the details.
But we had Paris and the kind of love
the word always only hovers above.
And kid, we both knew the future you’re already living
is with another man, though we sipped on the hope of beginning
again and running away
to a time that needs to stay in yesterday.
So now I need you to never forget
the many things said last night without regret.
Because I’ve decided you belong with him.
Because the life I can offer you here is grim.
Maybe not today, and maybe not tomorrow,
the rest of your life can’t consist of memories you borrow
from moments when I held you close
and your presence was what I cherished most.
So you do your job and I’ll do mine.
Maybe someday soon we’ll both wake up fine.
Because our problems in this crazy world
don’t have to be twisted and twirled.
Let’s forgive each other and get you on that plane.
God bless you,
my love.
May our memories remain.
Casablanca (1943)
Kid, here, looking at you,
I have to be careful with the words I use,
for our hourglass of precious time
is slowly sifting sand, and I’m
aware this goodbye is anything but good.
It rather feels as if it should
be the end of me,
and, as time goes by, we’ll see.
But now that damn plane’s far too loud,
reminding me you’ll disappear in a shroud
of the clouds clinging to our coats,
while I feel the need to take notes
on the way your hat sits on your head,
and the beauty of tears you’re trying not to shed.
I may be accused of inventing fairytales
after you’re gone and examine the details.
But we had Paris and the kind of love
the word always only hovers above.
And kid, we both knew the future you’re already living
is with another man, though we sipped on the hope of beginning
again and running away
to a time that needs to stay in yesterday.
So now I need you to never forget
the many things said last night without regret.
Because I’ve decided you belong with him.
Because the life I can offer you here is grim.
Maybe not today, and maybe not tomorrow,
the rest of your life can’t consist of memories you borrow
from moments when I held you close
and your presence was what I cherished most.
So you do your job and I’ll do mine.
Maybe someday soon we’ll both wake up fine.
Because our problems in this crazy world
don’t have to be twisted and twirled.
Let’s forgive each other and get you on that plane.
God bless you,
my love.
May our memories remain.
Casablanca (1943)
All Text Copyright (C) 2023 Meghan Coley