Dear John,
I should have written many years ago.
The years have come and gone and I’ve been slow.
Another excuse was I didn’t know
How much sadness I might have caused you so.
I know you were very loving to me
But I was sixteen and you, thirty-three.
Had our age difference not been so great
You likely would have made a perfect mate.
And now I want you to know the whole truth
Since you’re much wiser and you don’t need proof
But back then you’d have gone right through the roof.
You’d have thrown me out and remained aloof.
I was frightened to tell you how I felt
And concerned that your loving heart would melt,
Naïve with romance and the way I dealt,
Far too cruel; just like the slap of a belt.
I’m hoping you’ll find this message some day
Although for years I’ve lived so far away.
I’ll surely no longer be on your mind.
I sincerely admit I was unkind.
But I beg you not to contact me now.
I have always honored my marriage vow.
My husband would not agree to allow
Us to unite; it would cause quite a row.
I had fallen in love with him you know.
It hurt me too deeply to tell you so.
Years later I heard you had not married.
Forgive me for being the burden you carried.
Sincere apologies from your first love,
Gail
