Define a line, any pair of points will do.
Between your eclipse eyes and each beat of your heart I’m spoilt for choice.
Then through those two, go straight, don’t deviate, the way only you could plan and stick to the path unperturbed by goodbyes or bygones.
Second comes a curve that creeps ever closer but will never in all of forever pluck up the courage to touch.
Hard as I try.

As much as I admire you, aspire to you, I can’t become you.
For all you press into me we’re stuck as separate people.
Tight as I hold you you’ll still slip through.

It took me a long time to notice,
At first it was just any Wednesday.
I didn’t get out of bed.
I couldn’t eat.
Same as ever.
And you came to lay beside me.
Saying nothing.
Until usually you’d leave with an au revoir.
But you’re still here.
For me, this is the Wednesday that wins.

When I was young they promised me an oyster.
Didn't realise I’d have to let go of the pearl or be trapped when it snapped shut.
As you grow up, things go faster and faster, I think this is that but backwards.

To die, hard as my body is trying, I must first be half as alive as I currently am, and then half as alive as that, and half as... well you get the point.
Like being shot in the heart by Zeon’s arrow.

You’re silent.
Because there’s no time for you to say anything else.
Because you can’t when we’re down to my last attoseconds.
Because the photons from the amber glow flooding in from my window have hardened, set thick to preserve me in the moment like million year old moth wings.

But it’s okay, because there’s nothing you need to add.
You spent every second I was lucky to be with you saying it.
And my memories of you will outlive me.

I know I can never touch tomorrow.
But I promise never to envy you if you promise never to pity me.
Because I don’t have to say goodbye to you.
I’ll always be here and now.
Thank you for staying with me.
Sorry I couldn’t come with you.

Critique links

https://old.reddit.com/r/poetry_critics/comments/lae3g1/poem_for_expats/glo84rx/

https://old.reddit.com/r/poetry_critics/comments/la850r/the_hunter/glo11yt/