Lin Lane Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

Stranger

So long ago, or so it now seems,
I lost you and all of our dreams
because you'd changed inside,
a stranger you could no longer hide
In all the years of loving you
somehow I think I always knew
we would never make it to the end
but I stayed, trying hard to pretend
that we could save what we once had
Now it's all gone, the good and bad
I'm suffering through the healing years
filling the oceans with my tears
and still I cry; in bitter sorrow they pour
I wish I didn't love you anymore

Do you know what you should've said
on any night we lay together in bed?

"I'm sorry that I've made you cry
Please don't leave. Don't say goodbye
It's not too late. I know I'm wrong
My problems have gone on too long
and I'll get help because I'm to blame
I love you and I feel ashamed
I know I hurt you by closing the door
but I promise not to hurt you anymore
I've been a fool for letting you down
Please tell me that you'll stay around
I need you. Please stay with me
I'll be a better husband, you'll see
I want to keep you by my side
Please, tell me your love hasn't died."

Those are the words I longed to hear
Saying them would've kept me near
Words only in my head, not in your heart
It was your weakness that tore us apart
I wanted to see your repentant tears fall
I pleaded with you. I had to crawl,
but you didn't say any of those things
It was to your bottle you chose to cling
You allowed evil to have its beguiling way
as you became more of a stranger each day
I'll always have regrets. For you I still long
I had to sing the last word of our love song
How I trembled when I had to walk away 
My aching heart thinks about you every day



August 3rd, 2017
The Poet's Ache Contest
Sponsored by Greg Barden
Original Post ~ May 4th, 2016 ~

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Susan Ashley August 12, 2017 at 6:28 PM Hi Lin, such a soul-baring poem, full of your emotional vulnerability, clarity, strength. An amazing poem, heart-gripping for me to read. Congratulations on your win! Lin Lane October 8, 2022 at 1:22 AM Thank you ever so much for your kind comments, Susan.

Robert Lindley August 11, 2017 at 3:02 PM SUCH TRAGEDY AND SADNESS I'VE SEEN IN REAL LIFE. Superbly composed and great presentation of the sorrow endured.. Congrats on your win.. A fav.... Lin Lane August 11, 2017 at 6:07 PM Thank you most sincerely, Robert.

John Hamilton August 11, 2017 at 11:07 AM Wonderfully written, although I know painful for you these memories, congrats on a fine placement Lin! Lin Lane August 11, 2017 at 6:06 PM With many thanks for your thoughtfulness, John. It's gets a little less painful each year.

Gregory Richard Barden August 11, 2017 at 4:11 AM I was so pleased to see you on the winner's list, and I adore this write ... so sad and heart-wrenching, and I can so relate in many ways. Wonderful work - and congratulations on TENTH PLACE!! :-) <3

Anisha Dutta May 6, 2016 at 7:12 AM Congrats Lin to win on wonderful poem. Hugs Lin Lane May 6, 2016 at 7:32 AM Thank you, Anisha... huggin' ya back

Casarah Nance May 4, 2016 at 9:59 PM wow, I am just about speechless after reading this, I just want to give you a hug and tell you thank you for sharing...((Hugs) Lin Lane May 4, 2016 at 10:21 PM Thank you, Cas. I take all the hugs I can get.

Poet Destroyer A December 16, 2015 at 3:30 AM thank you for the reply on my comment. LINDA

Michael Tor December 15, 2015 at 10:22 PM Heartfelt Lin. Congratulations on a well deserved win!!! Lin Lane December 16, 2015 at 3:29 AM Thanks, Michael

Poet Destroyer A December 15, 2015 at 9:55 PM Lin ;) Congratulations on your sweet and wonderful win. Stop by my latest blog "You're Still Out There" if you'd like. Enjoy the Holidays and Thank you for supporting my contest. Love LINDA Lin Lane December 16, 2015 at 3:28 AM Thanks a bunch.

Michael Tor December 9, 2015 at 1:48 AM Wow Lin this is my favorite for this contest a 7. I feel sad after reading this if you went through it. I'm so sorry. Choosing a bottle over one's love is sad, it really is. You realized he would not hold you captive in your love and you let go the pain. Never realizing it was your choice to let go. Sometimes we hang on to pain when the ones that caused it do not deserve the love from us that causes that pain. One of my favorites Lin. A 7 Lin Lane December 9, 2015 at 3:25 AM Thank you very much, Michael. It's all true...His closing (slamming) door resulted in my broken hand...decision made to leave.

Skat A December 8, 2015 at 12:59 PM Lin Lane, Congratulations, SKAT Lin Lane December 8, 2015 at 1:10 PM Thanks, Skat

Balveen Cheema December 8, 2015 at 4:32 AM Your suffering cries out aloud Lin! Glad it's over and about! Lin Lane December 8, 2015 at 4:38 AM Thanks, Balveen. It took some time and far too many tears, but I'm much better off now. How kind you are

John Hamilton December 7, 2015 at 10:10 PM Hey Lin Glad to see this write get a second chance, well deserved 2nd place. Glad to see you're healing, but it takes time. This poem got a second chance maybe you will too. Lin Lane December 8, 2015 at 3:03 AM oh, thanks for the heads up on the contest news, John. Glad you like it. I'm about 90% healed and that's about as good as it'll get. Scars lie in memories...they never go away.

Punnia Viswan Bhatia October 24, 2015 at 9:01 AM I too have written a poem in the same title "Stranger", but the thoughts are different :) Will post now Lin Lane October 24, 2015 at 9:05 AM I will absolutely read more from you. I will be out for a while, but first thing when I get back will be to seek your Stranger.

Punnia Viswan Bhatia October 24, 2015 at 8:59 AM I can very well relate to this poem somehow Lin. Feeling the same pain I went through. But I never hate, for it will ruin my Self only. Happy that you are stronger, you always are my friend :) Love and peace.. 7 Punnia Viswan Bhatia October 24, 2015 at 9:21 AM and that's an awesome thought. God bless you dear :) Lin Lane October 24, 2015 at 9:05 AM Many thanks for your kind thoughts. No hate on my part. Forgiveness brings me a smile from God, for He can only forgive me my faults if I forgive others.

Ruben Alejandro Hernandez Diaz October 17, 2015 at 3:40 PM A very sentimental poem. "Sometimes it is better to anticipate deception rather than be surprised by treason". Such a sad occurrence that marks our hearts... Some people simply don't deserve our heart. I relate to this and I like it very much. Lin Lane October 17, 2015 at 5:30 PM Hello, and thank you for reading this one. Luckily for us, the heart heals. ~ Lin ~

Paul Callus October 12, 2015 at 5:31 PM I am touched by this poem which is written with much sincerity. Drink and its consequences can make life unbearable. I'm glad that you managed to move on and put the past behind you, Lin; you deserve better! Take care. // paul