David Crandall Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

2/19/2026 for It Is For The Best Poetry Contest sponsored by William Kelii Kekaula 

Do It For the Child

My conscience was most harried,
I tried to make it work but tarried.
For ten years I stayed married - 
our boy was so meek and mild -
saying, I'll do it for the child.

Our family home was filled with stress,
professionals tried to find redress,
but this silent, hostile mess,
wasn't good for our son,
but I stuck with what I'd begun.

The counselor said that I should stay,
stick to it, don't throw it away,
it's better for the child that way,
and because of these fears, 
I stayed for ten long years,

but I couldn't finish what I did begin. 
I was too weak and I gave in,
and because of this awful sin,
later, we all smiled. 
It was better for the child.

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Andrea Dietrich February 28, 2026 at 1:09 PM Oh wow you won this one right next to me. On the list. It was Williams contest. I think your poem was based on experience? Good one . Way to go. David Crandall March 1, 2026 at 7:34 PM Hi - yep, I didn't need to use my imagination at all for this one. Thanks!

Gershon Wolf February 21, 2026 at 8:36 PM Wow! You are now officially MY HERO, David. And this is my favorite poem ever. A gut-punch for me if ever I got one. Thanks. ~ Gershon David Crandall February 22, 2026 at 7:55 PM Wow! Thanks, Gershon! Now that I've punched you in the gut, let me unpunch you! Is that possible?

Daniel Henry Rodgers February 20, 2026 at 8:50 AM Hello David, thank you for being so vulnerable about the timeline, those "ten long years." You’ve highlighted a truth that many need to hear, that sometimes the best way to "do it for the child" is to model what it looks like to seek health, even if it means walking away from what you "began." With deep respect for your journey, Daniel David Crandall February 22, 2026 at 7:53 PM Thanks, Daniel! I understand how one would never want to advise splitting a family, but yes, I think sometimes it's best in this imperfect world.