At the tender age of only eight,
Your blood bond mother left you to fate.
Little do you remember of that far off day,
Too young to know of the price you would pay.

To a children's home, you were sent away,
Where your sister and you had no say.
While your father looked for his lady fair,
To make him and her the caring pair.

And so a step mom came about,
Who was very critical and tended to shout.
Freedom and choice you hardly knew,
Your confidence stolen, bitterness grew.

You fled from home at sixteen years,
The tension gone, there were no tears.
A new found freedom filled your days,
You were about to enter life's tricky maze.

For some years you had some fun,
Waiting to meet the special one.
You wanted a love that would last forever,
Giving you memories that you would fondly treasure.

Along he came from out the blue,
And gradually your attachment steadily grew.
The day was picked when you would wed,
To the registrar's office you were led.

For a while you were blissfully happy,
Even learning how to change a nappy,
After bearing a little treasure,
Who gave you strength far beyond measure.

But eventually you could take no more,
His wayward life opened the door,
For you to find a fuller life,
With solid principles and a lot less strife.

You and your treasure entered life's ocean,
Ebbing and flowing, united by devotion.
Times were hard, often driven to despair,
With you and she the inseperable pair.

You met some friends and a bond was made,
When your head was down, their faith didn't fade.
They gave you security and a shoulder to cry on,
They gave you courage and helped you hang on.

Relationships you've tried, some good some bad,
Someone special, you doubtless had.
But with rejection buried deep in your mind,
Where will you find trust, to match someone kind?

(c) John McKay Withey