The Victim

Copyright ©1996 by Richard J. Sereday Jr.
All rights reserved

I prayed for you and you were sent to me,
but sent in the form of a complex puzzle.

The prize that you were could only be won
if I could find the keys with which to unlock
the mysteries that were you.

I saw this valuable prize,
that was you,
and so desperately wanted it .

So hard I tried, and gave all I could,
(or so I though) and tried to
meet your needs as best I could.

My best fell so short of the mark,
but was it really my best?

I'm sorry, but I guess it was not,
because I know I could do so much better,
and why did I not do so,
knowing what was at stake?

I truly believe you were my prayed for dream,
sent to me in a box, but once received,
it was up to me to unpuzzle this riddle.

For myself, and you, and us,
I am so sorry that I failed,
and spoiled what could have been
such a beautiful joining of lives.

You have the magic "ruby slippers",
and you have clicked your heels,
and the dream is over.

You are gone, and you are missed,
and you are but a memory of an
"oh so beautiful dream"
that I once had,
and I am a victim,
but of no one but myself.