Donna

My friends would never leave her be each passed and gave her a wink One could see, it was not to be it was driving me to drink.

Donna at 40

She was so stunning in her youth

my breath ran short when we met

She caught my eye, and with a sigh

had left me in a cold sweat

__________________

I pursued her relentlessly

'til finally she gave in

A beautiful mind,what a find

a cross of beauty and sin

_________________

My friends would never leave her be

each passed by her with a wink

One could see, it was not to be

it was driving me to drink

_________________

Adoration grew in my chest

but time told a different tale

We had distressed, what beauty blessed

as in time our love grew stale

_________________

"You're too much woman to be fair

I can see that now so clear

Such beauty's rare, a cross to bear

I have to let go my dear"

____________________

We're  beauty for a fleeting day

that fades with the loss of youth

Forget and may, upon us weigh

the merciless pains of truth

Author's Note

I was Donna's friend many years after that.When we broke up I had injured myself so badly I wondered if I would recover. We met now and then in Louisville where I once raced and called my home. I remember telling her that children would help her in old age. But to her defense she was so intoxicating at 21, I wouldn't have listened to me either. She had lost her boyfriend when I last met her at 40 and had no children. Still beautiful but injured like the first time you make a child cry. Her own parents were very old by then. My heart bled for her. For truth be known I had loved her since the day we met. That was 10 years ago. I haven't heard from her but once since. Yet fresh in my mind as if yesterday I remember her wounded. How it cut me so deep I cried! Hers was the eternal beauty of Cleopatra, both inward and outward her light shone bright. I had been blessed to be her friend.
I adored her father and mother as well. It was easy to see where her beauty came from.

Reviews

[David Lewis Paget]

It takes courage to renounce the thing you want most. I doubt if I could have done it, Tate, which necessarily meant that in my life, I was the one left, never the one to leave. You had the foresight to avoid the pain of future indiscretions, though you didn't get off scot free. There is always the needle of nostalgia to aggravate the wound.

[Einstein Noodle]

so relateable....we have to fill in way to much for those past memories of loves and friends who have "disappeared" from our lives ... the fortunate meeting years later must have been melded with comfortable and awkward ... my Da told me (in my wacky youth) one can never go back Gene ...everything will be changed ... so true eh!? from your poem seems she has no family ...no brothers sisters cousins uncles???? ..i am hooked on her story Tate...from your authors note she is wounded ... tho none of my business ..i want to know more ..and if she is ok today ... your story line is personal and strong ..rhyme and rhythm as always Tatish and well done :)
E.

[Tate Morgan]

I talked to
Her last week she has finally married and happy but no children and few relatives far away still lives in Louisville and sounds the same

[Einstein Noodle]

oh for cryin out loud! just last week! must have felt good to touch bases ... but bitter sweet eh!? love and peace to you my friend :)

[Tate Morgan]

yeah i am still friends with almost every woman i ever knew

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ......................

[Jadey]

Very brave to admit such courageous love Tate.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you jadey i sent you the video poems

[Sasha]

This is one beautiful poem ..
Very well written !

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you I had hoped to do justice to the girl once lost so much sleep over

[Ally Monique]

This poem was a journey! It started off so hopeful and full of love-and ended bitterly. Honestly this is beautiful poetry! I believe in love at first site, even though I've never experienced it myself. It's funny how someone can stay fresh on your mind despite the amount of time that goes by.
Great ink!
Keep writing :)

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you after i wrote this one I looked Donna up in Louisville to my surprise she had just gotten married and finally found a bit of peace

[NoelHC]

I relate to this poem so well, there are always those regrets, the wondering, the "what-ifs" that I went through similar to your experience. The title attracted me, as that is the name of an old high school flame, there are some regrets there as well, but none like the one I will always wonder about.
Well written, Tate.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you it took a while to decide to share this one

[J.P. Bristow]

Ouch........your truths mark your evolution . Well done

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you truth only comes in one flavor we learn to respect it more than we like it

[zainul]

I adore the work based on the true story of your life.
I think the reality of the parting for whatever reason was predestined and it was beyond your control.But,the beauty of the event in your life is that Donna is the spotless Queen of your heart.She is forever your love and you always enjoy her influence in your life.
I thank you for your courage to glorify the love in this wonderful poetic write.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you sir yes one need not end up together to admire each other she was and is a work of art

[zainul]

You are most welcome,my dear artistic poet.
Keep up writing the great stories of your time.read moreYou are most welcome,my dear artistic poet.
Keep up writing the great stories of your time.
The posterity will rely on your poems to trace history of your time,place and people.

[OTownPete]

I hope you don't mind my offered a little editorial recommendation. In line two of stanza two I believe that you would be better served by using 'til rather than till...it would make much more sense. I enjoyed the depth in this piece. Your friend in words, Pete

[Tate Morgan]

Not at all thank you I changed it. I like that much better thanks

[OTownPete]

We are here to help and support each other afterall. It was my pleasure and I truly appreciate your acceptance.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you I like help. Usually David Lewis Paget catches things like that for me .

[OTownPete]

I would really enjoy some input from you on some of my current postings should you find the time and inclination.

[Tate Morgan]

be glad to do that

[SyberRose]

Nicely done Tate...sometimes things just are not meant to be for some reason.
I enjoyed the form as well as the poem...SyberRose

[Tate Morgan]

thank you