Ode to a Lost Love

I

Charmed by the beauty of her face

But even more so by her heart

This beauty I longed to embrace

 

Love wasn't present at the start

But our friendship began to grow

In time we were seldom apart

 

I wanted to let my love show

No longer could hold it inside

My warmth I wanted to bestow

 

To her I found I could confide

She would listen and never judge

There were no secrets I must hide

 

In my life I cared not to budge

Her tenderness gave me a nudge

II

She proposed coffee and a talk

Most happily did I accept

Soon hand in hand we took a walk

 

At warming my heart she was adept

I felt happy when she was near

Between us no secrets were kept

 

To my life she became so dear

I hated when we had to part

Her feelings for me were sincere

 

She had fully captured my heart

With her was where I wanted to be

I prayed we'd never be apart

 

With her I felt alive and free

Who knew what wonders we might see

III

Many assaults she'd had to endure

She'd had more than her share of pain

For her malaise there seemed no cure

Her attempts to find peace were in vain

And yet she bravely carried on

Blessedly some strength she did retain
 

I pushed too hard and then she was gone

She reemerged and welcomed me back

It was me she could place her burdens upon

My days sunny again not just black

Once again our union steadfast

Yet the strongest of bonds may crack

Would she be haunted by the past?

I prayed our connection could last

 

IV

In a cottage she wanted to hide

She cared not for people but books

Yet she spoke of being my bride

I lived for the kindness in her look

Her gaze filled my heart with bliss

A look of dismay I could not brook

Finally we shared that first kiss

Were we moving toward rapture?

Or was something going to go amiss?

Long ago my heart she did capture

So why was I feeling this fear?

Somehow I sensed our love would fracture

I knew that our love was sincere

But inner demons can reappear

V

I know not where she does reside

But she's still a part of my being

I'll always carry her inside

I was concerned for her well-being

I feared I might ruin her life

Was I saving her or just fleeing?
 

Fear and pain in this world are rife

To her struggles I might only add

Couldn't ask her to be my wife
 

That I had doubts of course made her sad

Nonetheless we said a farewell

Broken a bond that was ironclad

What the future brings we can't foretell

But know in my heart you'll always dwell