Separation Poem by Jeanette Telusma

Standing here today I'm strong enough to say
(without shame or prejudice)I did not leave.
I have forgiven you quite a while back
And have been living liberated since.
I felt free knowing that I was not
the one that gave up.
I felt a great amount of grief
when you shared your "why."
I felt pity also as I sat listening
to your response.
As I listened I was also weighing
your thoughts behind it all.
Picturing the position we were in
at the time was an eye opener.
Together things was hard and yet
you planned to leave.
Your leaving at that time meant
things would be even worst.
In spite of this thought I felt
no reason to hold you back.
A million thoughts came to mind
at that moment but I sat and listened.
I do recall asking if you thought
this was the best course of action.
You replied with certainty that it was.
I owed you that much, I believed.
After all that I had been through with you
I believe there was an unknown force
behind it all.
Quite frankly, your spirit was never settled,
it was so obvious.
There was the underlaying of something
I couldn't quite put my finger on.
I couldn't get clarity of what it was.
From the very beginning I gave it my all until
I had nothing else to give (smh) .
It's been 6 years now and counting,
though at times confused in the beginning
I knew I couldn't look back.
From you left I knew without a shadow of a doubt
that this was it.
Me and my children's livelihood was threatened by you.
You made decisions without considering
the repercussions.
The day you came to me in regards to your leaving
I heard one thing in my spirt...
What was meant for evil
God will turn it around for my good.
At the point of mutual agreement
I did not not look back or think twice.
I was resolute with
my agreeing with you and your intensions.
Standing here today I'm strong enough to say
(without shame or prejudice)I did not leave.