Before (Poetry)

There was a time before you came
before I knew your face
before I ever heard your name
I lived in my own space
and felt content with who I was
my life entirely mine
no hint of an impending loss
my palm revealed no sign

Then like some rare and precious prize
you suddenly appeared
the room lit up before my eyes
all reservations cleared
and I threw in my lot with yours
as though I had no choice
grown deaf to what the heart ignores
I heard no warning voice

The honeymoon was over soon
your gypsy charm wore thin
and romance faded in the gloom
of love’s long suffering
I locked you out of house and heart
then threw the keys away
but there remains a stubborn part
that yearned for you to stay

There was a time before all this
before I knew such pain
when peace of mind was close to bliss
before I knew your name
then life was full of quiet content
few clouds to spoil the view
but that was all before I went
and lost myself in you