A Life Unloved (poetry)

She came into the world unloved
and exited the same —
a blur in passion’s photograph
a shadow in the frame

She hung on every kindly word
and hoped that it might grow
into affection’s sweet caress
and lasting friendship’s glow

Relationships were give and take —
then take and take some more
she gave her all ’til hope ran out
her heart left sad and sore

Still undeterred, she tried and tried
naively unaware
such efforts didn’t count for much
when feelings were unshared

The truth was no one gave a thought
for how she might have felt
and fairness rarely showed its card
in any hand life dealt

And who would know or even guess
the sum of what it cost —
impossible to estimate
how much she loved and lost

Bankrupt in her final years —
no feelings to invest
she found relief in solitude
her troubled mind at rest

until the day she slipped away —
vacated in her sleep
and dreamed herself eternal love
that waited six feet deep