Cry when you feel sorry for yourself,
You're the captain of your sinking ship;
Rebuke the fool who says "Things could be worse,"
He's not seen the whole iceberg ..... just the tip!

What joy when my heart took its ****** flight!
It soared with stars navigating the night;
Pledges of love were uttered with each breath,
Not once did I entertain thoughts of death

At last my lonely heart had been caressed
By love, and drawn tenderly to its breast!
Nothing could keep my spirit from flying,
Not once did I harbor thoughts of dying

The flame of love burned with a steady glow,
It seemed love's fountain would forever flow;
When love surrenders in totality,
What fear has the heart of mortality?

But O! how my world changed -- now I'm alone,
The fountain's gone dry, my heart's turned to stone;
Every day despair rears its ugly head,
What irony ........ how I wish I were dead!

When reality chills me to the bone,
The embers of make-believe are fanned,
Sitting on my garden bench alone,
Tightly I cling to a phantom hand

I sing words of love into the air,
Then wait for their echo to return;
My heart hears a love song, rich and rare,
Soon Love's cooling embers start to burn

I'll not despair, though he's far away,
(Miles of land and sea keep us apart)
No triumphant role does distance play --
In his spirit hands he holds my heart

And when the midnight hour is announced
By a distant bell, my yearnings flare;
Each need and desire is more pronounced
By every chime that pulsates the air

It is then I hasten to my bed
Where my spirit companion awaits;
With every embrace my passion's fed,
Each kiss brings me nearer Heaven's gates

Whispering "I love you" through the night,
I pretend my darling can hear me;
Yet when my eyes absorb dawn's first light,
Sadly, I never find him near me

But I'll cling fast to these wayward dreams
That direct my footsteps as they wend
Past the roiling swells of sorrow's streams,
Into that golden Realm of Pretend

How mindlessly on Life's ocean we float,
Practicing deceit, causing tears to fall,
While a witness silently takes note --
Time sees and hears all

Not one false vow made in the name of Love
Will escape Time's ever watchful eyes;
Like thawing snow reveals the frozen dove,
Time unveils all lies

Tears carve channels that are easy to trace,
Brows are furrowed by promises broken;
You need only look upon my face .......
The years have spoken

Love is as fleeting as the moment
It makes its introduction,
Stirring the heart, and clouding the mind
With intoxicating seduction

Love breathes life into the dying heart
That loneliness turned to ice,
Then after reviving it, Love flees,
And the heart must pay the traitor's price

Love is a dangerous addiction
That can bring us to our knees;
And if deprived of Love for too long,
Once again our hearts shiver and freeze

Love is a merciless tormentor
That will take us to the brink
Of misery, and even madness,
Yet, from Love's cup we'll beg one more drink

Love that behaved as our dearest friend
Can suddenly become foe,
Conjuring up long-forgotten pain,
Delivering unbearable woe

But Love, who would not suffer for you?
We deign to play by your rules;
We choose a card, then roll the dice,
While Love laughs, watching us play the fools

To all shattered hearts, this solace I bring:  
Awaken from your morbid dreams of death;  
Do not succumb to failed love's mortal sting,  
Don't let ill-fated love stifle your breath  

Though love's retreat can impart a cruel blow,  
Rejoice, knowing it was yours for a while;
For some, Love's sweet nectar will never flow,  
So bask in your sweet memories and smile  

Suffer in solitude behind closed doors!
But know this: tears will not restore lost love;  
Rather, relive the joy that once was yours,  
Memories are gifts from Heaven above  

Now's the time to let old wounds close and heal --
How far could you fly with your broken wings?
Reach for the stars and see what they reveal,
Observe Spring and the buds of hope it brings

Discard love's bouquet, keeping but one rose --
A keepsake -- not meant to be a tether;
Now let this spent love lie in sweet repose,
To float through time like a golden feather
                                          
Though the pain appears daunting, it will end,
Your heart will heal; but there may come a time
You'll need to offer solace to a friend
Mourning love's fickle ways with a sad rhyme

Little things no longer cause despair,
Though my daily vexations be rife;
Let the wind ruffle and muss my hair,
Rain on my parade -- see if I care!
I've made my peace with Life

While the neighbor's dog barks through the night,
Why not join in with your drum and fife!
Yesterday, those moments would incite
Anger, but now I calmly recite:
I've made my peace with Life

In my woe, prayers to Heaven I'd send,
Each time, their denial cut like a knife;
And slowly I came to comprehend
Some rules of Life were not meant to bend;  
I've made my peace with Life

Love never found its way to my door,
Never would I be the envied wife;
Too tired to fight, too proud to implore,
I'm no longer engaged in this war;
I've made my peace with Life

What did I achieve when I complained?
The rallying of more woe and strife --
Dark clouds hid the sun,  and it still rained;
Now from undue stress I've been unchained ......
I've made my peace with Life