So I Wrote You a Poem: poems of empathy on life loss and faith

In January 2021 Instagram followers were invited to message author David Tensen with a life story they wanted made into a poem. More than 60 people wrote in with stories spanning divorce loss trauma parenting ableism same-sex attraction suicide PTSD parenting religious shame and more.Drawing from deep empathy and with a desire to give dignity and voice to those often shamed and ostracised David wrote a collection of poems every day for twenty-one days. This special collection of 25 poems is a tribute to the common loss and hope we all share.This is Davids second poetry collection. His best-selling debut 2020 collection The Wrestle is also available worldwideThe following is a poem from the collection. It features in the chapter On Marriage: FOR THE ONE WHO WAS BETRAYED(To the betrayer)There is a tree by our homethat fell in a stormon the pathI walked to belonging.I assumed this was our path and perhaps it was but the storm -that was your betrayal.Torn from the earth.Branches broken.Leaves strewn like confettion our wedding day.Roots now exposed shamefully waving at passers-by remind meof what was sown in secret.Trunk now splintered piercing those who dare to pry remind meof your unrepentant reasoning.Ive been tempted more than once to nest in the wreckagebut you wont find me there.Instead Ill be in the forestforging new pathsthrough forgivenessand a fog of grief vowing to love myselfmore than you ever did.David Tensen