Tell me what I need to sell to buy the right to be with you
To trace your shadow on the path of life with loyal feet?
I’ll never say a word to you, nor speak unless I’m spoken to,
But reserve a place for me beside you, please save me a seat.
I’ll stand erect behind your shoulder, guarding you from harm,
And because I’ll be behind you, then, you need not look at me,
But only nod to acquiesce and I will follow you forever,
Treading gently, breathing softly, silent as can be.
What do I need to do to earn the right to sit beside you
To watch you as you sleep and fight your nightmares all away,
To touch your hair and memorize the contours of your face,
To never say goodbye when you must go and I must stay?
I’d die for you, my darling, and defend you to the last –
I never knew my instinct to protect could be so strong!
Please know you have an ally here, somewhere you can run
No matter what you do or did, if you are right or wrong.
Everybody loves you, yes, in that I’m not unique
You draw your friends around you, I am lost within the crowd
And I am not the type to force myself upon the ones I cherish,
I’m stiff and awkward, frozen solid, never very loud.
Thus, once again you walk away, unaware of my emotions.
How can you not sense the love that I feel leaving me?
You pull it, heedless, from my heart, a dusky, bitter flow.
To my mind, everything; to you, a drop within your sea.
And so I guess, unless you can decipher all my thought processes,
And understand the words behind my oft-averted gaze,
Then you will walk away again, so loved but none the wiser,
And I will go on loving you and wanting all my days.