I Learned Love Backwards

I studied how to love you Right after you walked away

Read every old message Like homework I should've paid

I finally heard your warnings And the echoes of goodbye

Funny how the truth gets louder When there's no one left to try

You were patient, I was careless You were honest, I was proud

You were saying everything I was never listening to out loud

I learned love backwards After it was gone

I learned how to hold a heart By holding on alone

You were teaching me in real time I was learning from regret

I learned love backwards And I won't forget

I thought love was something easy If it didn't ask too much

Did no commitment Was the language you spoke in trust

I confused being distant With being strong and free

Didn't know love needs courage More than chemistry

You wanted reassurance I gave you doubt

Thought silence was harmless Till you walked out

I learned love backwards After you were done

I learned that almost trying Is how you lose someone

You were giving me your heart I was giving you my fear

I learned love backwards Now the lesson's clear

If I could trade this wisdom For one more chance

I'd show you love in action Not just romance

But wisdom came too late Like a map after the fall

Now I know every answer To questions you don't ask at all

I hope he learns you forward Not the way I did

I hope he listens early To the things you never hid

I learned love backwards Through losing you

I learned the cost of waiting And the damage doubt can do

You were ready for forever I was learning how to stay

I learned love backwards In the worst possible way

So I'll carry this knowledge Into someone new

Learning love the right way Because I failed with you