The ones that got away

Day of Month of Distant Year

Dear, the ones that got away,

Fear. Pain. Hate. Sorrow.

Lost. Adrift. Sleepless. Hopeless.

Regret. Questions. Tears.

Yours,

The boy you left behind.

**

Day of Month of Later Year

Dear, the ones that got away,

There were times, in days gone by,

when I would stand alone and wonder why.

Friends you were, to me incredible.

But then, to you, I was, a fruit inedible.

Crushes come and friendships go.

And time constantly away does flow.

To those who wait, it offers healing.

And to the heart reprieve from steeling.

I’ve learned through loss,

Away to toss,

All hope of answer,

As though t’were cancer.

And await no more,

The fool’s hope for,

your kind return,

or love to earn.

Yours,

The boy you left behind.

**

Day of Month of later Year.

Dear, the ones that got away,

Our ship has left behind the quay

where once we thought to come some day

with friendship strong to ocean spray

and linger long in sheltered bay.

I’ve sailed away, despite the fear

of what you wrought in yesteryear.

And in my heart a feeling queer

though sun is bright and sky is clear

at horizon unknown I now do peer

As though there hides the answers we’re

never going to find if we stay here.

And so to you, I’ve this it say

I wish there had been some other way

for me to you to remain dear

And then these seas together we could steer.

Yours,

The boy you left behind.

**

Day of Month of Later Year

Dear, the ones that got away,

It wasn’t all for romance

When with you I formed a bond

Friendships too have come and gone

Of all types and sorts have I grown fond

Perhaps we could if not for chance

Leave aside and move beyond

The petty lines between us drawn

But too wide the gulf has yawned

To meet again, in friendly stance.

Yours,

The boy you left behind.

**

Day of Month of Present Year

Dear, the ones that got away,

Who turned and ran.

And those from whom I turned and fled

Those who hurt

Those I hurt

I’ve been for years in aching dread

Wondering if there’s a plan

A reason it’s turned out this way

Why you broke me deep and long

Why I broke you in my turn

The pain we cause

This pain we cause

The feelings deep inside us burn

These broken wishes to us belong

But we're too far apart to say

In any form that we might hear

That one of us, the other forgives

Is it enough?

It's not enough

We parted, our lives to live

Beyond the pain from yesteryear

Each of us, that got away.

Yours,

The Man that I became.