I dreamt that a future shared could be for us.
Hope took on a little life of its own.
Never mind the obstacles we sometimes discussed;
The path that lay ahead, for its time, had shone.

We walked, hand in hand, for year after year.
I smiled by your side, and you smiled too.
I was happy when you were near.
It was a joy to be close to you.

Smiles began to grow performed and polite.
Some time later, laughter began to ring hollow.
Days with you were filled with dimmed light;
The lump in my throat that I struggle to swallow.

The bitter pill has gone down, yet the taste remains.
I give it time; I trust it will pass.
I tell myself I had given and taken no pains.
At least there is that.