Here's To Gracious Endings Poem by Leria Hawkins

You'll never hear the breaking heart
I'll never hold you to the sparks
A fire that only burns in me
Was simply one, that shouldn't be

You never promised me romance
I've always known your circumstance
But in my heart, you sparked a flame
That held me to a foolish game

So many years I've been denied
A simple truth that you disguise
I've asked you, time and time again
To let me go…or let me in

Don't tell me that you want me now
Don't try to claim you care
If there ever was a moment, babe
I've not found it anywhere

Dig down deep, and let it out
You know what I'm talkin' about
Don't' keep holdin' up the lie
I see it buried in your eyes

I'm just not the girl I used to be
There's something hard inside of me
You woke me up, when you shook me down
Then left me hanging out to drown

But, the rain don't hurt me near as much
Cause it can't hurt, what it can't touch
I've locked my heart up in a cage
I've read the lines and turned the page

Don't tell me that you want me now
Don't try to claim you care
If there ever was a moment, babe
I've not found it anywhere

Seems this story had to end
So, let's not look back and claim we're friends
It's easier just to cut the ties
No more pretend, and no more lies

My heart's okay, I'll be just fine
I'll snap right back with a little time
Through it all, I've found relief
I won't be swallowed up by grief

So, here's to you, to what we've been
…And to never looking back again
Here's to life, and to new beginnings
…And too finding strength…in gracious endings