She wakes before the daylight comes
Puts the kettle on, same song
She knows his face, she knows his hands
But his eyes don’t always understand
She learned his silence, line by line
The weight of years, the slipping time
She holds his name when he lets go
Loves him still, though he won’t know
They say he’s still in there somehow
She answers: I’m still here right now
This is what love learns to do
Stay when words are falling through
Carry days you didn’t choose
Still call it love, still call it true
Not heroic, not grand
Just a steady, open hand
This is what love learns to do
When memory leaves the room
Paperwork and waiting rooms
Soft smiles hiding all the bruises
They speak in lists, in plans, in dates
Trying to hold the world in place
They fix the things that can be fixed
Sign the forms, absorb the hits
Strong for him, strong for her
Strong enough to not be heard
They don’t ask who’s right or wrong
They just keep moving on
This is what love learns to do
Work in ways no one sees through
Make the hard things feel less cruel
Still call it love, still call it true
Not heroic, not loud
Just showing up, day after now
This is what love learns to do
When memory leaves the room
He lives far where the trains don’t run
Feels the distance every call undone
He chooses calm, he chooses trust
So grief won’t turn to rust
He loves them all from where he stands
With quiet guilt, with open hands
Not less involved, just shaped by space
Learning grace from far away
He says: I carry you in me
Even when I’m not there to see
I grew up hearing all your names
In gentle tones, in tired days
You didn’t know you taught me how
A family bends, but doesn’t break down
This is what love learns to do
Change its form, but stay true
Walk together, not confused
Still call it love, still call it you
No applause, no disguise
Just truth reflected in your eyes
This is what love learns to do
Thank you… for showing me too
When memory leaves the room
Love stays
And teaches what to do
