there should be love
in this place where light has fled--
there should be love,
for you, for your future.
there should be love so you can grow,
love for pleasure,
love as the path you walk on
and for the food you eat.
your life has earned
a wage of love, a pittance for
the services you have lent;
there should be love,
for the rest of your days.
your pure eyes
can't see how she abandons you,
and maybe that's for the best.
your pure heart
would never admit to her poor treatment,
all the ways in which she slights you.
your life has earned
the gifts of love a million times over,
a permanent fund of smiles
and hugs and hands held late at night.
there should be love,
where there is only distance now.
emotional, physical, mental,
she keeps you at arms' length;
my heart shakes,
my breath catches,
to see the way she treats you now.
come home, love, come home
and find the promise you were given:
your life has earned
these years of love and peace.