I Wanted You to Learn from Your Mistakes

For Shay
 
I knew you long before you met that young fellow.
You said that you loved me more than him,
But you couldn’t continue the relationship with me.
We started something that wasn’t workable.
You adamantly wanted my love and attention.
I told you that I was living with my girlfriend,
But you didn’t want to share me with anyone.
 
I didn’t know the right way to handle the situation.
You wanted me to choose you over her,
But I couldn’t do that because I lied to you.
The woman who I told you about was actually my wife.
You didn’t seem to mind me having a girlfriend,
But you strongly objected to an adulterous affair.
I cried when you decided to get out of my life.
 
You said that I was affecting your new romance.
And you thought I was your biggest problem.
You couldn’t express the affection you felt for him.
And you wanted me to stop calling you baby,
For it made your jealous boyfriend sad.
I spoke to you about it and you gave me this reply:
“I met someone else, so leave me alone.”
You added, “Please, just do this one thing for me.”
 
You told me that a philanderer once broke your heart,
So I was just trying to protect you from harm.
I didn’t want you to fall in the same trap again.
Shay, I warned you not to trust egotistic men,
But you didn’t listen to my wise counsel.
You were my teen lover and I didn’t want to lose you,
But I wanted you to learn from your mistakes.
 
I felt that you deserved to have a good sex life,
But I had other reasons for wanting you.
I’ve never met a girl like you in all my days.
You motivated me to take the best selfies.
Even though I gave you the freedom that you wanted,
You knew that I’d still love you, Shay.
I’m so sad because we didn’t get back together.