Almosts

I watched you walk away, your back turned cold A thousand words I should've said, but the silence took hold That moment on the balcony, I let it slip through the cracks I could've reached for you, but I held back Late-night talks about what we could be But the timing never felt right, and now it's history In the quiet of my head, I hear you say If you'd only asked, I might've stayed Almost had you, but I stayed in my head Almost said the words, but the moment bled I froze in the shadows of what could have been Now I'm second place in a race I couldn't win Heartbeats missed, chances never touched I'm left with almosts, just out of luck Remember that night we drove down on Main The world was ours, but I stayed quiet and refrained I could've held your hand in silence, made you feel seen But I watched you shiver, with an abyss in between In the café I hesitated, should've made my move But I stayed in that safe space, my feet couldn't groove I rehearsed it in my brain but it's never enough I gritted my teeth but couldn't muster it up That one last hug before you said goodbye I stood there in the dust, asking why didn't I try Almost had you, but I stayed in my head Almost said the words, but the moment bled I froze in the shadows of what could have been Now I'm second place in a race I couldn't win Heartbeats missed, chances never touched I'm left with almosts, just out of luck I'm counting every could've been Wishing I'd played out every scene again The dreams we shared now fade to grey I'm haunted by the words I didn't say Now it's just the echoes of a love I let go Regrets like rain, falling slow, falling slow Almost had you, but I stayed in my head Almost said the words, but the moment bled I froze in the shadows of what could have been Now I'm second place in a race I couldn't win Heartbeats missed, chances never touched I'm left with almosts, just out of luck In the rearview, I see you drive away Another almost left in the rearview of yesterday I'll always wonder what would've been Instead of taking an L and getting a win