unseen tired smiles

Found a folder on my drive last night

Vacation footage under coastal light

I held my breath and clicked the play

Waiting for the tears to wash away

But looking closer through the static frame

I saw a girl I couldn't quite name

Smiling for the camera,

forcing the glow

Holding a hand she already wanted to let go (ooh-ooh)

There was sadness in my eyes back then

Hidden deep behind the lens again

I worked so hard to paint us right But we were fading

in the morning light

And looking closer through the static frame

I saw a girl I couldn't quite name

Smiling for the camera,

forcing the glow

Holding a hand she already wanted to let go

(wanted to let go) I was never missing us,

I see the truth

I was only missing who I wanted you to be

No more romanticizing phantom memories (yeah)

I finally see it now (ahhh)

I look so closely at the final frame

I know her now,

I call her by her name

No longer crying for a phantom glow I close the screen,

and I let you go