Lin Lane Poet Verse

Notes About The Poem

What Might Have Been

"For all sad words of tongue and pen,
 the saddest are these, 'It might have been'."              
                         ~ John Greenleaf Whittier ~


I knew that someday you would break my heart 
we loved too fast and much too strong 
the pages of our story were being torn apart
as foreshadowing moments began to unfold 
     yet we clung to our dreams of tomorrow 
     hoping for us, the best was yet to come 

I loved waking beside you in the glow of dawn
then gently falling into your welcoming arms 
For just a little while the world was beautiful 
but there were signs, I was not the one for you 
     Too soon our tomorrow filled with sorrow 
     I knew for us, the worst was yet to come 

Signs were clear that what we once held dear
no longer mattered to you. With vows forsaken
your path was taken, leading you away from me
My grief was overwhelming but you remained aloof
     turned your back, walked away and left me crying
     I knew this day of reckoning had finally come

We turned our backs on what might have been 
cherished dreams haunted by lengthening shadows 
that were swept away into the depths of the sea 
of animosity where love is never meant to dwell
     My wearied heart grew numb; a withered leaf
     falling in Autumn. For us the best will never come 



~~~~~~~~~~
April 20th, 2017

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Jay Vee August 6, 2017 at 8:54 AM Lin, you tore my heart out with your poem (in a good way). It's amazing how your words, spokenfor my heart. Congratulations on a truly awesome piece.

Gregory Richard Barden August 5, 2017 at 11:20 PM So very touching and sad, Lin ... a longing and melancholy seated deep in the heart, and you express it with such tenderness and grace ... I adore this and am fav-ing it. I have to keep reading again-and-again, and that is unusual for me - to keep going back. I have been there, too ... we are blessed to have loved so deeply, and yet are so deeply broken. Congrats, my friend - what an amazing list of winners - I am so humbled to be mentioned in this group! Blessings! <3 Gregory Richard Barden August 5, 2017 at 11:35 PM And I love that PHOTO!! <3

Jan Allison August 5, 2017 at 5:07 PM Dropping back with my congratulations Lin :-) hugs Jan xx

Susan Ashley August 5, 2017 at 4:02 PM Hi Lin, heartfelt and emotional, a beautiful write. Congrats!

Connie Marcum Wong August 4, 2017 at 3:18 PM This wonderful poem has shades of the poem Splendor in the Grass which I love Lin. I mean it has the same feeling to it! Beautiful! Congratulations on your placement my friend! : ) Lin Lane August 5, 2017 at 5:50 AM Thanks, Connie. To be compared to such greatness is quite a compliment. Sweet!

John Hamilton August 4, 2017 at 12:25 PM Enjoyed this read even more second time around, forgot this was you Lin, congrats on a fine placement in a very tough premium contest Lin Lane August 5, 2017 at 5:48 AM Merci beacoup, John. ;-)

James Inman May 2, 2017 at 9:38 AM Emotional write Lin. The best is still out there waiting for you.

Sandra Haight April 27, 2017 at 2:04 PM forgot the 7!

Sandra Haight April 27, 2017 at 2:03 PM So heartfelt and sad, Lin, but beautifully written. Congratulations on your fine placement among such a short list of winners! 7 Hugs, Sandra

Charlie Smith April 27, 2017 at 10:58 AM It seems we are always thinking "ifs and buts" good times and bad. Hard to turn them off or around. Terrific write Lin, congratulations...

Teddy Kimathi April 27, 2017 at 6:40 AM A very emotional piece..... Congrats Lin, for your well-deserved top placement in the contest!! ;-) Lin Lane April 27, 2017 at 7:10 AM Thank you, Teddy, and congrats to you on your placing.

Jan Allison April 27, 2017 at 4:19 AM that final stanza brought a huge lump to my throat Lin ... 'for us the best will never come' I am sure there are many that can sadly relate to your lines. Many congrats on your win Lin:-) hugs Jan xx Lin Lane April 27, 2017 at 7:10 AM I wish I hadn't been one of those who relate to it, but to quote the title by Willie Shake, "All's well that ends well." Thank you very much, Jan.

Darren White April 27, 2017 at 1:24 AM Very beautiful words Lin, and I love the quote, it is so very true! Congratulations on your placement. Lin Lane April 27, 2017 at 7:08 AM Thank you very much for liking this one so well, Darren.

John Lawless April 26, 2017 at 9:12 PM Lin, thanks for entering this in the contest. I caused me to reflect on the "what ifs" of my life. Lin Lane April 27, 2017 at 7:08 AM I tried to keep the 'and then' story going. Thank you.

John Hamilton April 20, 2017 at 12:13 PM Very touching poem Lin, it is so sad when love is lost, very well expressed poem, as always! John Hamilton April 21, 2017 at 9:49 AM I wrote a song called say goodbye to yesterday has a similar message, glad to hear you're on the mend! Lin Lane April 20, 2017 at 10:02 PM I just got back from meeting so I'm encouraged to look upon the past as just that...and put the loss behind me. Thank you, John. I'm all better now except for memories that just won't leave me alone.

Chris Green April 20, 2017 at 10:58 AM Very relatable Lin and such a beautiful way to present these feelings and emotions. I have experienced this and I know it does not feel good at all, as if the world is ending. But it is not ending and I have learned to see this as, If I hadn't had the pleasure of her love, I never would have felt it hurt this bad. So, there is always something good to be found. If that makes any sense. :) Lin Lane April 20, 2017 at 10:00 PM I lost myself for a while, but I've healed with God's help and the help of friends. He's still lost, but we all must face the consequences of our choices.

Tim Smith April 20, 2017 at 7:57 AM I can feel you Lin...hearts break when the love of one is gone Lin Lane April 20, 2017 at 8:16 AM Thank you, Tim. We still loved each other, but the demon he faced would not release him from becoming Mr. Hyde.

Charmaine Chircop April 20, 2017 at 7:26 AM How sad this is..yet how beautifully penned...Made me ask-What If?..Maybe love would have made it...Fantastic post Lin Lane April 20, 2017 at 8:13 AM Thank you, Char. I asked many 'what ifs'...what if we'd never met. What if he'd had more strength to face his demons. What if I'd stayed. Despite the sorrow, I can never say, "What if I'd never given us the chance? I appreciate your visit and your thoughts.