Transitional Tears

Part I

There is no question; I will always love Lilies.
Cultural differences and her MD schedule lead to
misunderstanding
and soon, the ache of neglect.
With regret, it was over.

So serious yet sweet,
gentleness mixed with sternness bordering on callus,
mixed my feelings, but we had been real together.
Still, it hurts not to be with her.

Part II

I had been a friend all along.
Now her chemo treatments over, ovarian cancer
beaten,
Victoria was getting closer.
It helped when she began talking more freely.
Before, I was not sure she listened
as I tried to keep her focus on living.

Victoria had been listening
and now she was there to share my sorrow
at Lilies lost.
For two years I had deflected Victoria's feelings,
trying to be gentle but surely causing her to hurt.
Now Victoria talked and I found
her mind quite sharp.
Quite apparent, educated and talented
in many ways,
not as obvious when she had been so silent.

I admire her perseverance and her skills.
Her humanitarian and environmental concerns,
her passion and compassion make me wonder,
how did she ever become a corporate lawyer?
Getting to know the real Victoria,
born with the very country name of Tammy,
I finally began to feel more than friendship.

Two years passed since her first hello.
Two years passed with her love held in check.
Now, finally, I love her back; I have been mated.

By Michael A. Crane, Jr.
Original Version: November 30, 2002
Version 4: December 19, 2003
Some stanzas adjusted for consistency across devices: June 22, 2019
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