it is hard
   to love
and feel that love
   is not returned in kind

it is hard
   to feel unable
to respond in kind
   to love so generously bestowed
   deep and sincere

it is hard to see
   what might have been
   a love together
even at a distance
   falling apart
   in silence and in tears
   because people and things
   have come between
in bad moments

it is very hard
   to lose
a lover
and
a friend

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