The Note

‘It’s not that I wanted to leave,’ he wrote,

On a scrap they later found,

‘Just that the stress was too intense,

You drove me into the ground.

You’re like a terrier, won’t let go

Til you drive us all to tears,

You have to worry the same old thing

You’ve clung to your chest for years.’

 

‘It’s not as if you can let things go

When you’ve lashed, and whipped and scourged,

You won’t let the pain just go away

Though I’ve pleaded, and I’ve urged.

I’ve read the letters you wrote before

And it’s word for word the same,

You said you were writing your demons out

But I see that nothing’s changed.’

 

‘When will you learn that a man’s a man

With his rights and wrongs intact,

You can’t go changing a leopard’s spots

With your mouth, and that’s a fact,

You share your misery every day

Til it’s all far too intense,

You think your way is the only way

And allow no recompense.’

 

‘Why did I ever stick with you?’

I ask of the stars above,

‘The answer comes, as it does with you,

‘I stayed for the sake of love!’

What is this love but a trail of pain

From a scar that will never heal,

That rakes the ashes, over again

Til our love can’t see or feel.’

 

‘It’s not that I wanted to leave,’ he wrote,

‘But it’s better for you and I,

There must be someone better for you

And I’ll put my faith in the sky.’

He’d dipped his pen for the final time

As despair had come in a flood,

And she had muttered, ‘I don’t know why,’

That he’d signed his name in blood.

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[alf]

This is a poem that that takes a reader in a strong grip and hold him there from go to whoa. Not only have you captured the sorrow of the one, you have suggested the auto-focus of the other in a way the lets the reader decide the personalities of the participants. Morbidly fascinating, comes to mind, gruesome, but attention grabbing. Thank you, I enjoyed the read, alf

[A Soap Mess Stories]

It's funny, but I had these same thoughts during my 15-year marriage...very well penned David.

[MomzillaNC]

This one is like reading a suicide note from an incredibly macabre pen. Powerful and moving and tragic, his heart's blood scratched across the page and she still incapable of understanding his pain.

[R Smith]

a tough tale David, sure tells a sorrowful tale of a downtrodden person weighed down by the demands of another, i'm seeing him take the hard way out with a pen full of his blood, guess he could take no more :)

[andrew mitchell]

A clever write David once more you excel at every turn and what flows from your pen in either blood or ink produces a story so vivid with imagery and well told

[Marie]

I have a very morbid take on this. I see the narratoe utting his writst, filling his pen to sign the note, and then dying. It was his way of leaving.

[Lyn Croker Paget]

I don't regularly write a review on David's page, as it may be seen to be showing favour. On this special milestone occasion of 1100 poems, congratulations are definitely in order. As always never a disappointment to read his poetry which is appreciated by so many.
His words can carry you to view so many windows of life and yet flights of fantasy too, with fair maids, knights in shining armour, a dream lover or a secret one or two. All too soon the characters are fading as a black stallion goes galloping by. He's laid down his pen as we are enthralled again at The Master of Verse. Well done!

[Valentine]

Wow...this one gave me the chills. I wonder just how many men or women for that matter stay and stay then finally giving up and taking the cowards way out. What if happiness for him was just around life's corner. He is gone, she will grieve a short time and start looking again. This was written so well David. I love the script and how you penned this. You are a master at your craft. Valentine

[ANTO]

This is only your 1100th poem DLP - what have you been doing man ?? ;)

By far the saddest I have read of yours - for me, the most emotive and the most deeply resonating.
Your pen scrawls across the readers heart, every word conveys a feeling. Nothing is wasted. Bravo and more power to your pen my friend.
And Bravo for reaching such an impressive poetry milestone. :))

[Jane Winters Rogers]

Congratulations on your 1100 poem, your work will live on forever. You really are a great poet.
I look forward to reading many more of your writings. Even though this is such a painful, desperate
piece, I know it's just your imagination and not real. I also enjoy your readings and look forward to hearing
More in the future,I like hearing your voice, thank you for sharing your brilliant mind and great heart
With us all.