I tried

you gave me a toothbrush and I promised I’d be back
it wasn’t a lie; I thought I might this time

but then I got my way
and he got in the way
and then time got away
and everything was gone and so was I

but you still check in now and then
to see if I’ll keep my promise
to hear some more of my silence
and you’ve never mentioned the toothbrush
but I wonder if it’s still there

I wonder if it’s still wet, still waiting
still dripping tiny beads of guilt, the drops
not big enough to hear from here
not loud enough, really, to make any sound at all