Victoria Gauci (1960 / Cleveland Ohio)

On days like this I am all consumed,
By a heaviness,
Wondering how I got myself
Into this very mess,

This is not the path that,
I was meant to walk upon,
I feel that the steps I take
Barely touch the ground,

My dreams in my younger days,
Have all but disappeared,
The songs I sang in my head,
I can no longer hear,

The life with him had been nothing more,
Than wasted precious time,
I can’t seem to find my way,
I have fallen far behind,

So many things in life,
That I wanted to accomplish,
Being a good mother
Was my solitary wish,

Being in a marriage,
Filled with respect and admiration,
I gave all of myself to him,
Without his adoration,

No one can expect anyone,
To stay in something empty,
Marriage is supposed to be,
The land of good and plenty,

So in order to save my soul,
And live a life of happiness,
I had to walk away from him,
And all his shallow emptiness,

In all this time since I have gone,
To live life on my own,
Inside my heart there’s still a void,
And I feel all alone,

A woman who bears children,
Should never be without,
The love they give because in truth,
It’s what life is all about.


2011