"I'll Be Fine" (me, Fall 2002)
"I'll be fine," I said to him when we broke up that fateful night.
"I'll be fine," I told my friends when I said that it was over.
"I'll be fine," I whispered when the teacher asked me how I was.
"I'll be fine," I answered people when they wondered where I stood.
"I'll be fine" is what I say, though I really want to say
That even though I'm single now, I see what I gave up then.
I wonder if we'll be able to stay "just friends", as they say.
And once I think awhile, I know exactly what I mean.
"I'll always love you," I want to tell him when we agreed that it was over.
"I still do miss him," I want to tell my friends when they thought we were perfect.
"It's not just that," I want to tell the teacher when she thinks I'm missing him.
"He's wishy-washy," I want to tell people when they think it was just me.
"I'll be fine" is my translation for "I just don't want to tell.
It's too painful when I say it and depressing when I dwell."
Then I think and then I know exactly what to say.
"I'll be fine." This time I know I mean it and really will be fine.
