Why She Can't Leave

 They all tell me to leave you 

but they don't understand what their asking 

how can I abandon a lifetime of memories 

a lifetime of adventures 

of waiting at home for you

with dinner warming in the oven. 

They all tell me to leave you 

because they only see the bruises  

and the tears each time I realize that I'm losing you

as you don't come home for dinner  

and spend our anniversary with the other woman. 

They all tell me to leave you 

and they tell me about her 

who is the same age I was when we meet 

but is far more beautiful than I could ever hope to be. 

They don't understand that I know about her,

her name, the car she drives, the places you two meet in secret.  

But how am I meant to be the one who leaves  

when being your partner and our children's mother is all that I know? 

How can I survive in a world that I have never known 

all because you decided not to love me anymore?