THE SET UP
 

When one settles in life,
for less than they really desire,
the seed has been planted,
as you know, you should have aimed higher.

When ones life becomes controlled,
a very little step at a time,
and you sense yourself changing,
your freedom is on the line.

When you give someone,
all you have to give,
you feel love so deeply,
it's what you need to live,
and yet you are so different,
then you were before,
when you settled for less,
than you desired.

You listen to the emotional abuse,
always being criticized,
and your realize,
that in your partners eyes,
that you'll stay no matter what,
for your love is true.

You begin to fear when they are near,
for all the negatives that you'll hear,
you've given up all that was you,
now another day,
just to make it through,
for you one day settled,
for less than you should have.

You find your life is not much fun,
you were two, but now you are one,
trapped in a life that is like hell,
you envy your friends who seem so well,
many ask you" "Why do you stay,"
you can't imagine life another way.

You can't relax when they are around,
for they grind you into the ground,
nasty remarks and threats you hear,
and it goes on, year after year,
but you've never been hit or hurt,
but you are treated as if you were dirt.

You hide in your darkness,
remember the day,
you settled for less,
and YOU allowed the set up to start,
for even though you've done all this,
the day still comes along,
they say they are leaving,
and you are left alone,
because you settled,
for less than you were,
now you've nothing,
as your esteem has been shattered,
and all along, ONLY THEY mattered.
 

©Written by: Ed Kassirer
July 29, 2001