(Verse 1) The silence isn’t empty, it’s a weight I’ve learned to wear A hollow conversation with the ghost of you still there I’m reaching for a hand that’s made of nothing but the mist The phantom of a promise and a life that won’t exist I’m tired of the echoes bouncing off these four white walls Waiting for a shadow that will never walk the halls. (Pre-Chorus) And I’m rehearsing every sentence, every "why" and "how" Building up the courage for a talk we can’t have now I’ve got a thousand questions and a heart that’s overdue But there’s no one left to answer, no one left but you. (Chorus) I just want the ache of someone walking out the door Instead of this—the nothing, the "not-anymore" I’m begging for the ending, for the final page to turn But I’m frozen in the ashes of a bridge that didn't burn I want to call you mine, but the words just die away Left with all the "goodbyes" that I’ll never get to say Just the absence of you, and the presence of the blue I’m alone with the closure I can’t get from you. (Verse 2) They say that time is healing, but it’s just a steady leak The ink is dry on letters that I’m far too weak to speak I see you in the strangers, in the crowd, in every face But I’m staring at a portrait that the years cannot erase I don’t want this freedom, I don’t want this open sky I’d trade it for the prison of a permanent goodbye. (Chorus) I just want the ache of someone walking out the door Instead of this—the nothing, the "not-anymore" I’m begging for the ending, for the final page to turn But I’m frozen in the ashes of a bridge that didn't burn I want to call you mine, but the words just die away Left with all the "goodbyes" that I’ll never get to say Just the absence of you, and the presence of the blue I’m alone with the closure I can’t get from you. (Bridge) No grand finale, no cinematic end No "we’re better off as strangers" or "we’re better off as friends" Just a static on the vision, just a salt upon the tongue The heaviest of anthems that will never quite be sung I’m reaching for the handle, but there isn’t any door I’m screaming at the ceiling for a little bit of more. (Outro) Still sitting here. Still waiting for the sound. But the silence is the only thing I’ve found. No closure. No you. Just the room... and the view. (Fade out on a single, low piano note)

The Absence of You