Forty x Second Thoughts (Poetry)

I wish you’d done what you once said
and come and rescued me
but I tore up your letter and
behaved pig-headedly

I went on with that foolish plan
and in a month was wed
to my first husband when I should
have married you instead

It didn’t last — it never could
it faltered at the start
a horse that fell at the first fence
no stamina — no heart

When I came back I found you with
some girl I grew to hate
although it wasn’t her fault I
saw sense four years too late

I paid the price for too much pride
I lacked all wisdom then
now I can say I wouldn’t make
that same mistake again

The gap’s been more than forty years
so much life’s put me through
while others came and duly went
the one I miss is you