inflicting serious damage
suppressing truth I lied
hurt, pain, anguish
sadly my love had died
I spoke the words you needed to hear
fragile .. sad .. in pain
"i adore you .. love you .. need you"
each time a hollow refrain
i felt that full disclosure
would never come to fore
living an endless cycle
feelings I chose to ignore
in time I gathered courage
vowed the truth to speak
we left each other, still intact
separate stronger ~~ neither weak
It seems you resolved to move on, move forward, and that is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteMy divorce awakened all the deep pain in my parents' divorce and the way that family ceased to exist -- lots of booze went into that hole, to no avail -- but what came after was durable and real. Dunno if you're writing about a breakup, but that what I was feeling as I read.
ReplyDeleteDearest Helen,
ReplyDeleteLove the final two lines.
A lot of courage goes into such a decision!
Guess a good bit of relations are somehow stuck in that endless cycle.
If they lack the courage for setting each other free; it is a never ending cycle...
Hugs,
Mariette
I think there is an honesty and courage in letting go, I'm glad you were both left in tact and grew stronger, appreciate you sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt's an unusual thing and mature for both to realize it isn't working and to walk away from the relationship. I'm glad it worked out that way for you and your ex, Helen.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a lot of courage to speak the truth and do right by yourself in such situations. It sounds like the right decision for both parties here!
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful thing when you can reach that point in a relationship and be mature enough to both move on to better times and more happiness. Love this Helen ☺️💕
ReplyDeleteThere is wisdom in waiting, and I feel your poem reflects how letting go can be done gracefully. Thanks for sharing, Helen.
ReplyDeleteSomeone told me once that the depth of a wound correlates to the size of the gift it contains on the other side of it.
ReplyDeleteCourage is needed for the step-up to breakups and letting go. Bravo
ReplyDeleteMuch💜love
So well said - and well and admirably lived.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the worst part of falling apart is not all the dramatic hurts and arguments and attacks, but the masks we have to put on, and worst of all, that we wear them for ourselves as much as the other. I've been here, Helen, and you write it well.
ReplyDeleteEnding something that was once precious, but no longer works for those involved, is a terribly painful thing. But thank goodness, like the prompt your poem suggests, that kind of suffering can become strength.
ReplyDeleteHelen,
ReplyDeleteThe forthright style of your poem communicates as much as the words, the bold honesty, the courage to speak and let go. So glad the resolution seems to have brought not just freedom from lies but the strength to move forward without bitterness.
pax,
dora
Been there, done that. She solved our dilemma, found as new 'boy', and filed for the divorce. I had lost my wedding ring before as it fell down to the bottom of a lake. I did not cry or feel sorry, it felt like the beginning of our departures.
ReplyDeleteYou told it so very nicely, of going through the motions before parting.
..
BTW, The song "These shoes" was in the 50's, old when we went to the Holy Land in 1980, wearing my Hush Puppies.
..
That's the way to end. You shoe the way through the emotional awfulness to the obvious sensible outcome. So many people seem to want to destroy each other in the process.
ReplyDeleteI can feel the sadness but also the relief in this piece. Sometimes, doing the right thing hurts like hell in the moment, but it's still necessary.
ReplyDeleteEnding a relationship is painful but it is more painful to continue in a relationship that is hoing nowhere. Bravo, Helen!
ReplyDeletewell written, any relationship is hard work but to have an amenable breakup is commendable ... often takes time to get there!
ReplyDeleteThis is so poignant. It takes a whole lot of maturity to move on without bitterness and go your own separate ways.. sigh.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an honest and heartfelt poem Helen. Finding mutual solutions is always better than the knock-down-drag-out-winner-take-all attitude!
ReplyDeleteWell, holy shit. You expressed all of my feelings/thoughts in sixteen lines. This time in my life. These tragic and confused awakenings. Your writings involve so many people who can connect, but this is vert poignant and powerful for me.
ReplyDeleteThank you my dear and admired friend.❤️
a bar I can aspire to meet ~
ReplyDeleteThis is a poem of heartbreak yet, the person is evolving into something stronger.
ReplyDeleteTwo people finally coming to terms with their essence; speaking their truths. Then going on their separate ways which in turn made them that the more stronger.
ReplyDeleteSounds to me like a good way to close what To me reads like a divorce. (Sorry if this isn’t so) but still I loved the way you wrote this, Helen. Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed the read. xo
love the resolutions. <3
ReplyDeleteThis is just beautiful, Helen. Sounds like you both came out on the good side, and much wiser. That's gratifying.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit❤️
Jane
It takes wisdom and compassion to part in such a way. I so admire that.
ReplyDeleteSo many hearts to this... It's beautifully written and expressed. Love becoming compassion and understanding that it doesn't always remain.
ReplyDelete