Once

There I once was…my passion for living unquestioned, maybe even unmatched.
There I once was…offering a smile to anyone and everyone on the street.
There I once was…with a world of friends to last a lifetime and more.
There I once was…with a presence so genuine it was bound to earn the envy of others.
Before all else, I was blessed with happiness…and I took all of it for granted.

There I once was…soon to be mesmerized by your beauty, captivated by your demeanor.
There I once was…with a date, a place, and a time that I will carry with me forever and always.
There I once was…knowing not what I was missing until that moment, the instant I met you.
There I once was…satisfied before, but now forever a changed man, with a purpose so new.
Through all else, trials and tribulations, there was happiness…and happiness cured all.

There you once were…with beautiful eyes and an unwavering smile, lost for words I became.
There you once were…allowing me first to enter your life and then enter your heart.
There you once were…your heart a gift, causing me to question how I could be so lucky. 
There you once were…helping me become the person I never imagined I could be.
I believed you when you said I had earned the right to be happy.

There you once were…providing me with hope, even when the moments became dark.
There you once were…making me feel loved, even when I felt least deserving.
There you once were…keeping my spirits high, assuring me that it would all be okay.
There you once were…helping me stay strong, even when I wanted to crumble to my knees.
Through you, I found hope, strength, and the truest form of happiness I have ever known.

Here we once again stand…but my smile has long since faded away.
Here we once again stand…but every part of me has since been shredded.
Here we once again stand…but I no longer know the person who stands before me. 
Here we once again stand…but I know not you, and I know not me.
Where were you when I needed you to tell me that I deserved to be happy?

Here we once again stand…and I feel so incapable and misplaced, unfamiliar and insecure.
Here we once again stand…and still, I try to live through opportunities I missed.
Here we once again stand…and you’ve accomplished so much since.
Here we once again stand…and I haven’t even begun to move on.
My happiness is gone…instead replaced with disappointment, loss, and infinite sadness.