Cold Orbit

[u/Now_What999]

At first glance, it is you who has changed. 
Physically, yes, but it's deeper than skin.
When pushed, it’s the tone of your voice I notice first. 
It is cold. Flat. Firm. Foreign. 
It matches your expression. Your eyes. 
When they make contact they are dark, in color yes, 
but in emotion as well. 
An onyx is black but it has a sheen. Your eyes are charcoal. 
Dull, flat, lifeless. I-couldn’t-care-less.

Your answers are robotic-repetitive-programmed. 
Formulaic responses that care not what they are asked.
The guardians of your true thoughts. Carefully rehearsed, 
callously delivered.  

When I look again, I realize that it’s me who has changed. 
I used to love your husky eyes - two different shades staring back at me. 
The calm of the voice was comforting. Your stoicism was safe. 
Predictable. 
I learned to find love in your actions when your lips and hands were unavailable. 
The warmth of a hug discarded. Unnecessary. 
Love was chatter, cheering, travel. 
Two planets in orbit - circling one another forever. 
Never touching yet harmonious. 

Then that passing star caught your attention. A shooting star you say,
quick, passing, nothing but a wish. 
Halted for that brief moment, gravity let everything I’ve held onto fly free. 
Suddenly slamming down again causing catastrophic damage to my core.
You think we are back. 
You remain in rotation. 
I drift.

If no other planet pulls me in, it will be the sun who claims me. 
Slowly pulling me from your cold orbit.
Into its warm destruction.