Yes, when a woman finally admits to herself that she truly
was never loved, and when she comes to that conclusion being
honest with herself the pain washes over her realizing that
life goes on and that something good will come of this lesson.

Always,

Deborah

that is a sad way to feel
budd

Love is peripatetic. It should never be caged flying over hills and down dales, breathing free and living through life's trials.

Not being a fan or confessional poetry, there is a bitter sweet tinge to this that served to arrest an observation I've made through the years: Men, including myself, if not brought to some painful realizations early enough, remain assholes, you know, that DNA quotient men usually try to spin into the "B" word for women. Sadly, it is often true, this "B" quality women often cling to for defensive strategy. Having shared all this inflammatory rhetoric, I can also attest that like the bitter sweet thread-line of your piece, not all women and not all men are incapable of change. I lucked out, according to my self-assessment after finally feeling I'd grown up some years ago upon my 72nd. Fortunately, my partner, who knows well her own shortcomings as well as having become an expert on mine, agrees. Something tells me you were probably never one of the "B" ladies of strident feminist misalignment. As such, my guess is you have much to look forward to. Your writing suggests a mind and heart that has no time for the cliche syndromes I referred to, and when such positive qualities are experienced by a grown up man, you too will forget the baggage left behind. Good luck, Ruan.

What is "love" but the sweet taste of honey? You cannot will honey to the tongue every moment of every day. It is impossible to gage how much is there and how much is left for the future. This is simply a poet's dream. Look for compassion, a penchant for caring and sharing. Look for honesty and empathy. These are the signs you can trust. M.True

You are among the best of writers, and the best of human beings.
Loving and learning is the stuff of life.
Much of it we could do without, but it tends to put many of us on the same page.
Hope all the beauty and magic of life seeps back in.
John

One of the best Dear John letters I've ever seen. I never would want to be on the other side of your pen. And that's a major compliment.

Ron

Such lessons are challengingly exigent. Intricate, yet stark
But, ultimately, learn them we must...

How so very true, for most of us.

Wow I just love the way you wove this story/poem. You had me at every line but the last line was the killer! Shot to my heart. Absolutely magnificent poetry!
Peace love and light
Amber

I am a big fan...

I love the way you smoothly, concisely, tell a story....

Well done as usual.... And i will try to read more of yours....

That is a hard, but necessary fact to finally understand, Ruan. To have suffered so much at the hands and words of a man you once loved is heartbreaking in the telling. But the fact that you now understand why he did what he did -- because he never loved you -- is the catalyst that will make you whole again, and I hope that happens sooner rather than later.