Fortunately this poem is not about me although my heart aches for all of the women who have faced this in their lives.

Anything But Love

He said he’d always love her
As they danced their wedding day
But what she didn’t understand
Were the words he didn’t say

The first few months were heavenly
Like a fairytale come true
That was before he turned so cold
And reality showed through

He became of evil countenance
When she gave, he wanted more
His very expectations
Began to rock her to her core

T’was not a partner that he wished
But an all forgiving mate
Someone at home who’d wait for him
While he’d go out on a date

A wife who wouldn’t recognize
His mean and drunken ways
Someone, who he could smack around
When having his bad days

Within time she realized
Love was not in this man’s plan
Her anger brewing deep inside
Became more than she could stand

She packed her things to leave one day
Find a place to be her home
A place where she’d be by herself
No longer feel so all alone

As she turned to leave their house that day
He stopped her and he cried
He said he needed all her strength
To heal his evil side

And even as she spoke to him,
Her words in muted tones
The love that once had filled her heart
Now sent shivers through her bones

The man had waited far too long
Abuse more than she could bear
With tearful eyes she kissed his cheek
Turned and walked away from there.

And even now she misses him
For she had loved with all her heart
But now she knows from within her soul
He never loved her from the start

Sherry Gail Heim
April 6, 2003
Copyright © Sherry Gail Heim 2003