Silver Lining Poem by Mary Champion

I cannot leave you without saying this:
that meeting you derailed the life I'd led.
Remembering each sweet, illicit kiss;
the worst time that my heart controlled my head,
if those few stolen hours were heaven sent,
I've paid my dues to hell for my mistake.
I've asked myself so often, what it meant,
for losing you brought anguish in its wake-
yet opened doors I never knew were there,
opened my eyes to realms I had denied.
Although my dream was smashed beyond repair,
the soft voice of my soul became the guide
that took me through the darkness to the dawn
of understanding - where new hope was born.