BEFORE YOU READ THIS:

This is a response to the poem titled "In The Park" By Gwen Harwood. Go read that before you read this. I wrote this for school, and decided it fit Jalex pretty well :).

I saw you today.

I ran into you at the park.

You were sitting there, in a daze, little children at your feet.

I tried to walk past you but it was too late.

I had been noticed.

We stood there, chatting about your children.

You tried to to tell me about how sweet it is, how nice.

But you must have forgotten the way I could read you like an open book.

The way you couldn't hide anything from me.

As I walked on, I thought about our relationship.

We were young and foolish, thinking we were invincible.

Nothing could stop us.

It was pure.

It was true.

# # #

I wonder what would have happened to us if you had stayed.

If you would still be at that park, with children created out of our love.

I wonder if we would still be as happy as we were.

# # #

Would our children be like that?

Would our children fight and whine, over the littlest things?

Would our child draw aimlessly, or with purpose?

Would we even have children, or would we still be out there, acting young?

# # #

I didn't tell you this, but I never moved on.

Not really.

Every relationship since then has failed.

I always compare them to you.

One had your eyes, but not your freedom.

One was too withdrawn, unlike you.

You were bold.

You were outspoken.

But today, you were not you.

What happened?

What made you pull back from yourself?

Sitting there in outdated clothes, telling me about your children in such a way that it felt rehearsed?

Have they affected you that much?

# # #

I loved you so much.

I love you so much.

But our relationship wasn't accepted by many.

I understand that it put a lot of stress on us.

And I know that when it gets tough, you like to just give up instead of fighting for it, because it's easier.

But I thought you'd at least try to fight for it.

# # #

I'm ashamed to say this, but at that moment I was glad that I wasn't the cause of this.

I was glad that you left.

I wouldn't have wanted you to feel this way if you were with me.

I wouldn't be able to live with the guilt.

You are so different, so broken.

I couldn't be with someone like that.

###

I know you have a husband now, and that you might be happy.

I won't send this letter to you.

You deserve better than what I can give you.

You moved on.

I guess now I have to as well.

# # #

I saw you today.

I ran into you at the park.

You were sitting there, in a daze, little children at your feet.

But it wasn't really you, no, not at all.

You have disappeared and left a shell behind, a shell of who you used to be.

I'm not sure why.

But one thing I am sure of.

They have eaten you alive.