I am taken before I am given, I vanish when held, I return only when lost, And I’m never the same twice.

Change my first, and I'm a people united Remove my last, and I'm two numbers divided Leave me as is for a portion provided

What is always in front of you but can’t be seen?

I am the part you seldom see, yet without me, towers fall. I drink in the dark so others can eat in the light. Pull me up, and I may take the past with me. In numbers I hide at the base of powers, in words I hide at the base of meaning. What am I?

I live when you wonder and die when you know, I grow in the maybe and shrink in the so. I vanish when named, yet guide what you do. Half truth, half question, what am I to you?