The One By My Side

The faces have paled
Before your discerning gaze,
The words have dried up
The eyes never are raised.
Instead of a smile
A silence there awaits,
Behind the confident stride
Is hidden the befuddled gait.
I try to bring
Myself to speak
Words of comfort,
But numbness reigns.
The winds seek
To take a different path,
The flames of glory
Are lost in the aftermath.
Ashes and rubble
Greet you wherever you go,
All charred remains
Where once life did grow.
You have won
What, you scarce know
But the game has lost
Its luster, I vow.
The sun has hidden
Itself behind the clouds,
Even as your brow furrows
Plagued with doubts.
Was this what you wanted?
Was this why you came?
Everything has changed since
Nothing remains the same.
Was it worth it?
You know very well,
But I will never know
For you will never tell.