If Only

Like the rose who's petals have fallen to earth Like a single snowflake melting alone Like a whispering breeze with a lonely fall-leaf Like an empty laugh lacking of mirth If the sun were to set and never return If never the winter thawed into spring If the stars were to dim with nary a word If the fire died, no longer to burn Those feelings, alas, are not strange to my heart They seem to follow like a cloud in the sky The memories gone past are painfully stained An unwelcome guest to never depart My heart grows cold; my tears run dry It seems the fight has gone from this life No future; only past: the present is dead "How are you?" they ask; of course, I lie My thoughts harken back to long summer days Memories dulled by time's golden haze I loved you then and I'll love you always So much I have lost; if only I'd stayed