Can We Just Be Friends

The Arizona desert in July, dry heat caressing our skin
I look across the distance, catch your eye, a loving soul I see within.
A desert museum, an Old West town
A day spent together, you dressed in that 1870s gown.
My cowboy hat, six-shooter in my grip
A photo, a memory, a smile spread across our lips.

Holding hands we spend the day, laughing and dreaming together
The sunset is last, we hurry to our goal, our movements as light as a feather.
We find a spot among the rocks, and facing west sit close to see
The orange glow on the horizon shining down to highlight the love between you and me.

We sit in quiet awe, as the sun sinks low in the sky
I peek a look, and see orange speckles in your eye.
I smile a broad smile, my heart swells in my chest
I know this is the moment that I must be at my best.

A box in my pocket, it has been there all day
A day practicing my words, so I know just what to say.
I reach in my pocket to pull out the box, beginning to shift to one knee
When you speak five words, five little words, that utterly freezes me.

Can we just be friends? I think I hear you say
Sitting in stunned silence, the words cause a slight sway.
I steady myself and say, we’re bestest friends to the end.
You repeat yourself, can we just be friends?

You say no more words, as your meaning sinks in
You just look away, I don’t know where to begin.
Confusion reigns, my heart beats fast
I can hear its rhythm beating down dreams now in the past.

The box sinks low in my pocket, just as the sun disappears from the sky
The world turns to darkness, just as my heart begins to die.
I drive you back to the house, the one we shared the past week
No words spoken between us, myself afraid to speak.

I don’t sleep this night, but stare up to the stars
Repeating your words over and over, until they leave raw scars.
I leave the next morning, still not able to comprehend
Those five little words, can we just be friends.