Messy hair as dark as coal

or the feathers of a raven

whose wings remind you of his own

or even the colour of a sky

clad in the armour of the night

obscured by a blanket of clouds

turned lighter and lighter brown

as the years passed by

but time also revealed

that he feels for you

more than just a friend

and you have to wonder

if you knew him at all

or if you just created a vision

an illusion of him in your head

and refused to look past it

even as he gave his heart for you

mindlessly fought for you

defied his brothers and sisters

gave up his home

the only place he knew

all of it for you

and you used and crushed it

and destroyed it without realising

by your ignorant words and cold attitude

only rarely giving subtle signs

eyes searching

gaze wandering down

when you thought no one was looking

that no one would see and notice

the look in your eyes

whenever you let your thoughts roam free

gentle touches lingering

torturing both you and him

yet he stayed by your side

loved you still with all he had

accepted your flaws and faults

looked past all the abuse

and was able to see the good in you

you didn't know you had

refused to believe him when he said

you are good and you are enough

and now that you know

your love is requited

always has been

it is too late

you can do nothing but helplessly watch

as the tide takes him away