Worst Times

It’s always the worst times and never the best

when everything gets put to the test.

Only then can you tell if the promise of love will hold

or give in to hopeless remorse.

The tensile strength of that rusty guitar string;
Will the shaky bridge let you cross;
The saneness when intoxicated;

Your immune system’s fighting power.

Your loyalty to your spouse;
The magic in your Hallelujahs;

A relationship’s victory over individual egos;
If you would take a bullet for a sibling.

Which one of your friend’s has got your back;

Your mother’s unspoken vow of unconditional love;

The steadiness in your dad’s protective arm;
Your patience with your children’s bohemian ways;

If true love will see you safe through your darkest nights.

All  these, I pray, my friend remains with you during your worst times,

that is when everything is put to test   

Only then can you tell if the promise of love will hold

or give in to hopeless remorse.

Only in fairy tales are there happy ever afters

for in real life even kings suffer painful cancers,

princesses die in car crashes,

and marriages fail inside palace walls.