A Time To Refrain From Loving Poem by John Thorkild Ellison

How often have I laughed to hide
The torment that I felt inside?
You must have watched the tears subside
As one by one my dreams have died.

I'm sick of wallowing in my grief,
It's time to turn over a brand new leaf,
I'll build a bright future, just you see,
I'm escaping from prison and I'm gonna walk free

And I'm going to salvage my damaged pride
After all the loving that you've denied,
No more disappointments, no more tears,
Life will be worth it when the pain disappears!

You hooked me before and led me a dance,
I've got to get out while I still have a chance,
You haven't deceived me, you've never been cruel,
It's me that's to blame and I know I'm a Fool!

One day you'll look back and remember a time
When a poet commended you in his rhyme.
When all of the songs and the poetry end
Will you banish the Lover and welcome the Friend?