I never was certain of much

Of anything, you told me so,

A truth that seems hollow to the touch;

I'm certain of what I need to know.

I don't know if I've found love yet,

And, if not this, then if I ever will;

Other things, other hopes, I'm certain to forget

Before the beating of my heart is still-

And I know I shan't think of you

Every moment or hour or even every day,

And that people are replaced, it's true,

Regardless of what the poets say;

And I'm certain longing and regret will pass

Ambivalence has always been what we called peace,

And should I remember you, at last,

When foolish pain has all but ceased,

I know I will not miss you, and

Not for lack of feeling, or of heart,

Even a child could understand

You cannot miss what is still a part

Of yourself; and in every tear that ever falls

In every word that's spoken with this voice,

In every silence that there, with memory, crawls,

In every echo of your choice that was no choice

You will be there, should I need;

Each time I smile or hear that song,

For each memory that makes me bleed,

A part of you is taken, and takes a part of me along;

Until finally, there's nothing left of me here,

And time has done what it will always do and does,

For the first time that does not feel new I will draw near

To the best part of me that ever was.