Love Poem: Twenty One Years Later
Kelly Zakerski Avatar
Written by: Kelly Zakerski

Twenty One Years Later

Twenty One years later…

Twenty one years, together we’ve stayed
For our mistakes, our children have paid.
You chose to leave, twenty years ago
“There’s no one else”, for you told me so.	

Later I found, that there had been five
Over the road, the truck you would drive.
Booze played a part, and you walked away
Freedom you’d want, so that you could play.

Bottom you hit, “Oh please take me back”
“I lost my way, now I’m back on track”.
“I’ll give up booze, for this I will swear”
“This storm I’ve caused, together we’ll fare”. 

Seven years passed, I couldn’t let go
You broke my heart, I tried not to show.
I could forgive, no remorse you had
That hurt the most, and made me quite sad.

Again we split, and went our own ways
I’d see you drive, by the house some days.
Hard on us all, the kids were so sad
“Please take him back, ‘cuz he is our dad”.	

Holidays near, for they would be rough
Remaining strong, I knew would be tough.
“Mom, dad loves you, he told me to say”
Using the kids, is always your way.

You start to drink, the promises break
A different path, your life starts to take.
“If you don’t trust, we don’t have a life
“I don’t love you, as if you’re my wife”.	

That broken trust, on me you do blame
We’ve grown apart, we’re just not the same.
I can’t let go, the past is right here
You’ve brought it back, and made it quite clear.

You’re just not sure, if MS plays part
One thing I know, you’ve broken my heart.
The vows we took, for better or worse
For my disease, is more than a curse.		

You watched your dad, give much of his life
So he could care, for his ailing wife.
This same long road, not sure what will be
Don’t want tied down, you want to be free.

“I do love you”, “that spark isn’t there” 
“Staying married”, “just doesn’t seem fair”.
“Please do not fear, your needs will be met”
“I will make sure, your finances set”.		

Soon you’ll deploy, and head off to war
Maybe that’s why, you’re shutting the door.
Separate we’ll be, and so far apart
I hope this brings, some peace to your heart.

You like to say, the problem is me
It’s all my fault, so you are guilt free. 
Playing head games, emotions run high
I think it best, to tell you good bye.