The Choice Poem by Robert Mahoney

afraid to let her go lest she disappear
he's holding on so tight it's bruising her
she's crying out but he doesn't seem to hear
he tries to save it but he only makes it worse
the more he holds on the more she pushes away

and she's leaving because he can't see
that his grip on her won't let her breathe
she still loves him but it's not enough
though it hurts to leave she's staying tough
and she's well aware of what's at stake
but she's had all that she can take

trying to be what she needs him to be
he's clinging on to her every word
but he screwed up and it's beginning to seem
that he will never be what she deserves
and the changes he made are too little too late

so she's leaving because he can't see
that his grip on her won't let her breathe
she still loves him but it's not enough
she'll be on her own but she's staying tough
and she's well aware of what's at stake
but she's had all that she can take

he was controlling and he made her cry
he shared her secrets and he told her lies
but she still loved him though god knows why
remembered something she saw in his eyes
he's got one last chance to prove to her
that they can make it through this
but so far all he's shown to her
is that he cannot do this
he's so sure that he can make it right
but he has no idea how
and neither he nor she can figure out
if their wants are truly what they need

is she leaving or will she see
that his grip on her is lessening?
she still loves him, but is that enough
to make all his mistakes seem like not too much
though she's aware of what's at stake
does the price she'll pay justify the gain?

is she leaving or will she see
that to give up now is a tragedy?
and she's asking what she should do
but the whole world says it's up to you