we need to talk about how well I communicate (technically flawless apology)

[verse 1] we need to talk about how well i communicate i've been meaning to bring it up for days you said you felt unheard last tuesday and i heard that in at least eleven ways i used an "i" statement, kept my voice down didn't interrupt you once, except to clarify that the thing you said i did wasn't quite what i did and i think that distinction deserves a reply [pre-chorus] i validated your feelings without conceding the facts i acknowledged your perspective then gently circled back [chorus] the apology was technically flawless every word in its proper place i took responsibility for the impact while reserving the right to dispute the case i said i'm sorry that you're hurting and i meant it, more or less if forgiveness is a process then i've passed the written test [verse 2] you said, "i don't want a presentation" which i thought was rather unfair because i'd made a little slideshow to demonstrate how much i care slide one: active listening slide two: emotional repair slide three: a list of all the times i could've been defensive, but wasn't there you said, "can you just admit you hurt me?" i said, "of course, that's what slide four is for" you said, "you're doing it again" i said, "i know, and i've got data on that score" [pre-chorus] i reflected back your anger i named the unmet need i even paused for seven seconds which is longer than you need [chorus] the apology was technically flawless every word in its proper place i took responsibility for the impact while reserving the right to dispute the case i said i'm sorry that you're hurting and i meant it, more or less if forgiveness is a process then i've passed the written test [bridge: piano alone, intimate and apparently sincere] i know i hurt you i know that much is true and for one quiet moment i could see it all from you i saw the disappointment the exhaustion in your eyes and i wanted just to hold you without explaining why [brief silence] [spoken, almost tenderly] which, if you'll notice, is exactly what i've been trying to say. [drums return with a sharp rimshot] [bridge continuation: tempo builds, clarinet joins] i've done the reading, learned the language put the principles to use if emotional intelligence is measurable i'd like to see the rubric you refuse [final chorus: full brass, exuberant harmonies, triumphant] the apology was technically flawless i've got witnesses and notes i took accountability in principle and that's the part that matters most i said i'm sorry that you're hurting i said it clearly, i confess and if you're still not feeling better that's a separate process [outro: jaunty piano, pizzicato strings] you say you don't feel understood i say, "i understand that you feel misunderstood" you say, "that's not the same thing" i say, "well, technically—" [abrupt silence] [spoken, softly] ...sorry. [one piano note] [spoken] nailed it.