An Arrow Once Felled

When is the time, if ever
ripe for leaving?
These words of truth, though right
so unappealing
The thought of what needs to be done
leaves only a bitter taste behind
It was always a dangerous move to make
but he made it anyway
To see it through
To make of it what he may
It was good, and at times
more than good
It seemed he'd found that for which he'd craved
Someone to hold
and hold him in return
now seems a selfish thing
For time passes
and with it, nothing more
Bringing with it a unique sense of dread
that an idea, a notion
a feeling
grows more in her
that he won't be able to return
He doesn't want to lead her on
Doesn't want to cause a hurt
But it's the right thing, isn't it?
Beset by doubt
it's better to cause a little now
than a lot later
Whatever the cause, the hurt remains
and worse than that
he doesn't want to lose her
not as a lover
but a friend
And more than ever he knows
it was a dangerous move to make
It's the right thing to do
Stupid Boy
But it doesn't make it easy.