Sparks of Light by Maria Fokas

Torn to shreds by spite;
But it will pass, like all misfortunes do.
Our greatest fears come true, sometimes;
Truths which scar the soul –
But it is not the silence which breaks me;
It is what silence leaves behind in its passing –

And in my grieving moment;
The defeat is not of a lost love.
I fought for you with all my might;
As if it were my last battle –
How can we know the truth from a lie?
Surely not by generous manners –
Could it be by a gentle touch, when hardships roar?

I have seen men claiming to be generous; who were the greediest of all –
I have seen men alleging to be gentle; who were merely vile tyrants.
And I have seen men declare their bravery; though nothing but cowards;
Men falling in tantrums like spoilt children, cruel and malice.

But I was fortunate to keep those tormenters astray.
I gave my heart to an unusual man who made promises;
To protect me from his fury and from his rage, and I know you tried;

And so I have no regrets today.
And whether I was haste, or foolish;
Giving you the benefit of the doubt; on all occasions –
It was because – my weaknesses were rife.
And though my faults were countless;
My vow to you was never meant to change.

In this end, I will be mocked;
Endless whispers of insincere pity; will ravage me –
And while they smile in my presence;
I will feel their scorn.

But regardless of the madness –
The struggles, and the pain,
I did not lose a breath of life;
Because I have loved with all my heart.

So no matter what tomorrow brings,
You will remember all those things.
And though you never believed in me:
I will miss the times of laughter;
And I will miss the times you held my tears –

But most of all,
What will be missed;
Is the time I thought you loved me –

© Maria Fokas 2015/All Rights Reserved – Photograph by Maria Fokas, at Corfu; Paleokastritsa