Unrequited no more

Unrequited no more

The words you put to paper
lay heavy in my hands
the weight of baggage carried
for too many years
your letter is the straw
that broke the camels back

How often can history repeat itself
before even a blind eye must see
cast away all care of consequence
and act
finally bring meaning to his life
while blood still flows
and heart yet beats

You are the bookends of my undoing
34 years of trying to forget
how much you shined
when we first met
how our minds and spirits meshed
but youth and naivete put paid
to thoughts of eternity
immediacy the main concern

We parted paths
My first mistake of many
Years filled with the oft repeated refrain
You’re wonderful, sweet, sensitive
It isn’t you, it’s me
Only to see commitment after commitment
love after love
year after year
fall by the wayside

And now
When I should know better
Your letter tells me what I always knew
We were destined to be together
But life’s details deny us happiness

Have we not suffered long enough
Given every ounce to those we care for
Can we not claim at last a selfish purpose
Ask others to forgive our mere humanity
help celebrate the wonder of two spirits
so many years parted
discovering each other
and themselves at last.