To A Friend on her Divorce

The legacy of treachery,
a debt that's oft too steep to pay,
is that the one who bears the guilt
is seldom he who walked away.

As I faced the endless night of
cold betrayal and burning shame,
I told my self that you were right
and that I bore, alone, the blame.

I sought within myself to find
how I could thus have failed you so.
And, as I delved within, I was
amazed by what I came to know.

I found a woman, lost in love,
who was not seeking her way out,
who gave of passion and of self
with never hesitance or doubt.

I found a woman, true of heart,
with equal diligence allowed
for focus on her family
and for the work she had avowed.

I found a woman, fair and kind,
who strove in all to find some good
and giving unto all mankind
more of herself than many would.

And, though I found this woman frail
and often weary of her load,
I found she always fought herself
to keep her feet upon the road

of patience and of faithfulness.
And if she stumbled on her way
she struggled back onto the path.
She loyal to oaths did stay.

And so I came to face the truth,
there in the chill of morning's light.
I knew that my love had been true
and that I'd fought a valiant fight

to save a love that was well lost.
As life forsakes the dreary dead,
so love forsakes who tramples it
to scuttle to another bed.

I bear no guilt, the choice was yours.
I will not suffer one more day.
I take but joy. The legacy --
That debt I leave for you to pay.