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.

[An owl on the moon]

What a stunning glimpse inside you, Tate... all that your eyes and heart beheld.. and for Donna.. where life's doors opened and closed for her. It all leaves me aching, and nostalgic as well.

[Writer *78*]

Nice Work

[Jack...]

To have beauty and let it go. To hold love and release it. The struggles of the heart play different songs of lyrics pasted to dreams of the soul. Sad and I understand this feeling though happy and I understand this feeling as well.

Nice piece

[Tate Morgan]

Jack nice to meet you. I suppose it is the eternal struggle. Hopwever it doesnt always turn out as well as this one did. Thank you

[Jack...]

Nice to meet you as well. I look forward to reading more of your work.

[Tate Morgan]

thank you what more can any of us wish for here then to be appreciated

[intuitivesoul]

This really hit home with me. This experience I recognize very well. Great way of expressing it here!

[Tate Morgan]

I am glad you liked it .Thank you

[Little Whisper]

I wonder what she would say if she were to read your touching words....

[Tate Morgan]

I imagine she would shed a tear for the love shown her here. I wish her well

[Little Whisper]

:)

[william keepers]

What if...? A thought that can haunt one for years to come.

[Tate Morgan]

Well I am sure Donna managed to recover. Life can be so cruel at times. No one is immune to the ravages of the human heart. But in her defense by making her so beautiful life had put her at a disadvantage. Yet to look upon such beauty one has to think .I wish it had just crushed me instead.

[Tony]

There is a certain ambiguity or irony in the idea of letting someone go-- when in fact we have a tendency to keep them with us always.
I liked this epic tale you've shared-- it really stirred my imagination.

[Tate Morgan]

Thanks Mak It sure stirred more than that in me old emotions long forgotten pains hopes and regreats

[oxo]

very brave of you to let go. and after so many years, though a lot changed from her, your feelings didn't--- that's love. just continue to love, though it hurts.

[spiritwind]

The world needs compassion like this... a love for another that goes beyond self and watches for what would be good for the other.... rare... your rhyme scheme breathes an extra layer of loveliness into this...

[Tate Morgan]

Spirit This write was a heart wrenching one Facing my fears and thoughts that i am not perfect.I did at the time what i though right,.I have doubted myself over the years because she and i were so happy together.But That isnt all there is to a relationship I miss her but i wouldn't trade my life and my beautiful wife to have her back instead I just wish her well and hope she has found happiness too

[spiritwind]

if only we could all move on when it is the right thing to do and do it with grace and good will