Notes About The Poem

For 2025 Poetry Marathon Mile 21 Poetry Contest sponsored by Mark Toney

Three Sides to Every Story

My lifetime friend, I feel so odd.
I'm not insured for acts of God.
Everything, it seems, is lost or gone.
I can't feel the ground I stand upon.

Today, we oldsters sat down to look
inside your yellow paged scrapbook.
I saw a picture and letter there.
I was frozen and could only stare.  

You, I'm sure, didn't want me to see
the familiar face that gazed at me.
Of course, it was my only wife,
the only true love of my life.

Love's sad lesson learned in one day, 
I'll see myself to the door, okay?
I thought stories had two sides, you see,
but triangles all have three.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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12
Ashley Avatar
October 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Dear David, the sudden pang of betrayal is keenly felt. A potent, poignant piece so poetically and rhymingly expressed. Clever and intriguing title too! Congratulations for your success in Mark's contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Crandall Avatar
October 18, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Thanks Susan! I can't take credit for the title. I think this was originally for a contest, "Three Sides to Every Story".
Godwin Avatar
October 17, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Where's the jacuzzi? I cannot run any further until my aching muscles are soothed. The above better not be true, I'll have to go beat people up but I'm sure it's not or you wouldn't have written it. What drama, what pain, what intensity hit the character and then the reader, didn't see it coming but I felt it landing. Congrats, David!
Crandall Avatar
October 18, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Hi CayCay, it's not true specifically, but believe, me, it is informed by real events, covered by the sands of time. I would never tell those details, because I don't want to be responsible when you start beating people up - lol!
Toney Avatar
October 16, 2025 at 10:15 AM
David, this is clever and heartbreaking at the same time. Congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 21 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 22 has already started.
Toney Avatar
October 16, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Yes, my friend. Are you feeling it?
Crandall Avatar
October 16, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Thanks Mark, I heard that Mile 21 or thereabouts is "the wall"?
One Avatar
December 16, 2024 at 11:34 AM
Nice rhymes and good idea for the theme.. Thank you for writing for my last contest on the soup and congratulations on your placement..
Crandall Avatar
October 16, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Thank you, Silent One! I'm sorry, I just now saw your comment (as I've entered this poem in another contest). Thank you for running the contest!
Rodrigues Avatar
November 14, 2024 at 7:38 AM
Back with Congrats on POTD, David!
Crandall Avatar
November 14, 2024 at 2:23 PM
Thanks Kim!
Dutta Avatar
November 14, 2024 at 6:56 AM
A well thought composition to impress reader. Enjoy your life. Have Good Days.
Crandall Avatar
November 14, 2024 at 2:23 PM
Thank you Anisha!
Rodgers Avatar
November 14, 2024 at 5:43 AM
Wow! David, congratulations on POTD!! You express the many aspects of friendship, betrayal, and the complexities of human relationships. What I loved was the raw emotion—that you've captured the heart-wrenching moment when trust shatters. Your final lines brilliantly encapsulate life's unexpected twists, for truth is often multifaceted. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel
Nicole Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 6:52 PM
I've always thought there were two sides to every story, but your poem suggests otherwise. Yikes ! Not a good thing. Congratulations David, on Poem of the Day. Hugs, Brandy
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 8:20 PM
Hi Brandy, thanks. Haha, yep, in the case of this poem, not too good, but I'm sure there are plenty of good stories that have lots of sides :-)
Liguori Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 6:46 PM
Congratulations on Poem of the Day! Very nice poem!!
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 8:21 PM
Thanks Robert!
Toney Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 2:12 PM
David, your human interest poem is compelling. Congratulations on Poem of the Day!
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 3:12 PM
Hi Mark - thanks - I appreciate your comments.
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 3:11 PM
Hi Mark - thanks - I appreciate your comments.
M  Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 1:09 PM
Moving ,sad and incredibly beautiful David....so happy to see you recieved POTD....Congratulations!! Debx
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 3:11 PM
Thanks Deb - I appreciate your nice comments!
Goldsmith Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 12:04 PM
Congratulations on your POTD win. I enjoyed reading your write/story. Have wonderful day with your win.
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 3:10 PM
Thanks Paula - glad you liked it!
Eslinger Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 10:04 AM
Yikes! David! You’ve penned a short poem of a 1,000 word novel! Sure hope it’s not true for you. Congrats on the P.O.T.D.,
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 10:21 AM
Thanks Sally, no not literally true, though I've had similar, but far less extreme or dramatic experiences which kind of gave me that feeling of - this is too much to process all at once and feeling numb and disoriented.
George Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 8:09 AM
There are stories that are hidden. When truths are revealed, they may give us a jolt. Wonderfully penned. Congratulations David on your well deserved POTD.
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 10:18 AM
Hi Valsa - thanks!
La France Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 7:18 AM
David, wonderfully penned poem, very emotional, oh yes, so many hidden secrets and stories, and congratulations on receiving the POEM OF THE DAY honor, well done, blessings Constance
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 10:18 AM
hi Constance - thanks so much!
Dintlhoane Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 6:13 AM
David, i read and reread this poem, trying to figure out why it makes me so emotional, it is good writing and congratulations on POTD
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 10:17 AM
Thank you Kgosietsile. That's a nice compliment. Have you ever had an experience that is similar in some way?
Lawless Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 5:08 AM
love the twisted end to this David...a well deserved POTD according to two out of three sides...
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 10:16 AM
Hi John - thanks!
Jones Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 5:03 AM
What a great potd and entry for contest David! Congratulations
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 10:16 AM
Hi Karen! Thanks!
Williams Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 3:20 AM
Dear David, your poem is hauntingly beautiful, capturing the depth of loss, memory, and the quiet revelation of hidden emotions. The line "triangles all have three" is especially powerful, reflecting the complexity of love and the bittersweet lessons it leaves behind. Congratulations on a well deserved POTD...Hugs
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 10:15 AM
Thanks so much Maria, for your wonderful comments.
Kitchin Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 3:10 AM
David, a great poem, compelling and full of emotion. Congratulations on POTD.
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 10:14 AM
Thank you Tania!
Andresen Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 2:46 AM
- The discovery is painful ... but the truth came to light ... an excellet write, congratulations on your p.o.t.d. David - Best wishes in the contest :) -
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 10:13 AM
Thanks Anne-Lise. I was thinking of saying something philosophical like "the truth always comes out", but then I thought, not always, some secrets probably go to the grave...hmm, like that song Long Black Veil...
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 10:13 AM
Thanks Anne-Lise. I was thinking of saying something philosophical like "the truth always comes out", but then I thought, not always, some secrets probably go to the grave...hmm, like that song Long Black Veil...
Edmonds  Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 2:19 AM
Back with congratulations on you receiving the honour of poem of the day… Beryl
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 10:10 AM
Hi Beryl - thanks!
Seeker Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 2:14 AM
A heart touching write, beautifully penned, David, warmest congratulations on POTD
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 10:10 AM
Thanks Unseeking Seeker!
Tor Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 2:12 AM
David back to Congratulate you. Awesome message you have put into words. So awesome you received the High Honor Of POTD again my friend I Congratulate you.
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 10:09 AM
Hi Michael - thanks!
Cunningham Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 1:12 AM
So true David, congratulations to you on the honour of POTD. Tom
Crandall Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 10:08 AM
Hi Tom - thanks!
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