I suppose shame did drown my
"Christian" moniker
with the "bitterness" of what was to follow

But let’s be honest, harmony was
broken before his pledge,
when he turned his back to my tears

Are we pretending, now
that avoidance means "peaceful"
Or that a "prosperous garden" grows
from the whispered hostility of isolation?

No?  Then hope remains
And candor spits and simmers
where a flame still flickers to get its breath

It's settled, then
We are playing the long game
because we are "victory people"