My rock enrolled in femme fatale

My world, unfurled. My bubble, burst

My poise lost all its rationale

I crumpled, sobbed, and then I cursed

Tears of sadness, fits of rage

Hurt by ‘man-child’s’ tawdry games

Afraid to even turn the page

As all my plans went up in flames

I bate my breath to no avail

Alliance gone forever more

So, step by step, I climbed the scale

As line by line, I learned the score

I taught myself resilience

Despite the knocks my morale took

I trained myself to scorn intents

To undermine, derail, unhook

Staved off my feelings, insecure    

Eschewed my sagging self esteem

Rebuked that nagging voice, unsure

Then in their place, I built a dream

I filled my mind and cast a light    

On what my future feats could be

I vowed that I would stand and fight

To keep that image safe in me

My task; a sturdy ladder, craft

To climb far out of sorrow’s range

Then cast adrift, my rickety raft

And trust that ladder’s power of change

This, firmly placed, hope in each rung             

Will lead me on, toward to my prize

And far below, that raft, far flung

Will shudder, shake, and then capsize

With sorrow gone and past behind  

I will not fear what lies ahead  

I’ll set my sights and set my mind

To make a life for ‘me’, instead.