Unrequited Pain: A Poem

Was I so wrong? Did I read into our moments together?

The laughter we shared, the memories we built; things I thought would last forever,

What is it I've done that's driven our lives apart?

Did it scare you to learn you won my heart?

In vain, I tried to stay away, convincing myself I had yet to be smitten,

In truth I found that, indeed, Romance had bitten.

And yet, I stayed silent, silently waiting for you.

As patient a man I am, evidently I slipped and revealed what, for me, was true.

I drowned in admiration of your qualities: your tenacious, cheerful charm,

I would have given up my city to gift you the home of your dreams: a simple, cozy farm.

Inspiration you gifted me in return; inspiration to succeed,

To become the greater man, the man who rides the silver steed.

A hero I would become for you, I would sweep you off your feet.

Where you walked, I would clear the path of snow, litter, and sleet.

In all areas would I dominate, surpassing those around,

I never anticipated the source of my strength would cast me to the ground.

So certain I was that you were made for me,

But apparently, this love story is not meant to be.

Despite the trust we established, the friendship we gained,

It meant nothing to you--were your smiles always feigned?

They say the brain treats rejection like physical pain,

I can attest, this is true.

I know what it is like to hurt alone amidst the rain.

Dark hours I've spent thinking of you and this relationship we've botched

A battle raged within me; a war between mind and heart was launched.

I knew I could not hold you down, keep you where you did not wish to stay,

Yet still my heart held fast, giving me hope to pray.

I knew, in the end, my efforts would fail; but my heart pressed on.

Only now have I realized, my chance with you is truly gone.

Once I believed I needed you; couldn't live without your presence,

I believed you were my piece of completion, bringing out my greatest assets.

With you, we could have overcome any obstacle,

Had this dream come true, our story would be a miracle.

The day your smile grew cold and your friendless faded,

I discovered how vastly my stupidity had cascaded.

You forced me out of my prison; it was I who'd been left holding the bag.

Thinking back of my actions, I cannot help but gag.

Love is a weakness, a weakness all men share.

In the end, we find it is only we that care.