nothing is sadder than dinner out
you look out the restaurant window
at winter rain hitting icy pavement
and you seldom look at him
lost in your own pain and thoughts
together but so far apart

it's sad when love has finally died
without his knowing it's dead
and how many times will you hear
“Why don't you just leave,”
before you can let go completely
and at last allow yourself to go

it's sadder than sad, devastating
when your adult children are cold
and you know in your heart
they've listened to his whining
lies have prevailed above your love
there is nothing left of being “mother”

finding yourself, at last loving you
throwing off the yoke of blame
for the mistakes of others
oh, you have made many of your own
but living alone behind your sad walls
will no longer be one of them