Nothing Has To Change by Emily Gates

I heard you say it softly like you were leaving room for me to look away like maybe I could choose to let it pass between us and keep the shape of yesterday but I was only quiet because quiet felt safer then and I thought if I named it I might not be the same again you don’t have to ask me if your heart is out of line I was standing in the doorway with the same thing hidden in mine nothing has to change not tonight not if you’re afraid you don’t have to give me anything you don’t have to find the words to say I only wanted you to know I didn’t look away I think I always knew it in the pauses after jokes in the way the evening folded when neither of us spoke I think I almost answered more than once and then withdrew like if I kept my hands still I could keep from reaching you you don’t have to be sorry for the room becoming strange I was frightened of it too that one word could rearrange nothing has to change I know that not tonight you don’t have to say it back I only wanted you to know I heard you that’s all and I won’t ask what happens if we let the silence turn I won’t say I pictured it or how quietly it burned nothing has to change I know but I heard you and I’m still here nothing has to change not really I know nothing has to change I can keep the same secret if you can keep it safe