A Disappointed Life Poem by Ray Hansell

The ash tray holds the ashes
From his smoked out cigarettes
With each new passing day
He's filled with more regrets

It seems life and chances
Have all but passed him by
He struggles just to exist
But he's not too sure why

His life has been a failure
By any standard that you use
It seems the choices that he made
Were always the wrong one's to choose

But still he always tried
To do what was right
He sleeps away the days
He stay awake all night

Drinking eases the pain
Of a life that went all wrong
He tried so very hard
But he's just not that strong

Years ago his wife left him
She couldn't take no more
One day when he returned home
He found a note upon door

She wrote, I am leaving
I just can't live this way
I hope you find it in your heart
To forgive me one day

Our children need a stable life
Not like the one we've been living
It seems you do all the taking
While I do all the giving

I never minded making you happy
That was my part to do as your wife
But I know out there somewhere
For me and the kids, there's a better life

So that is why we have to leave
I wish you nothing but the best
I'll think of you when I look at the kids
Goodbye, and God Bless

Well that was twenty years ago
That's how long he's been alone
His body is old and feeling tired
He's waiting to be called home


10-21-2008/RJH