A Heart That Tried

At thirty-three, the world feels heavy,  

A birthday clouded by the weight of years,  

Dreams dashed, a bank account bare,  

And echoes of a marriage lost in tears.

You gave your all, stepped into the breach,  

Loving a daughter who wasn’t your own,  

But the world’s harsh whispers reached your ear,  

Telling tales of failure, seeds they’d sown.

They called you “beta,” doubted your strength,  

Said the path you chose would end in pain,  

But you believed in love, in making a home,  

Hoping to be the one who’d break the chain.

Yet betrayal cut deep, the trust was torn,  

A wife’s infidelity, a heart left to mourn,  

The ending was inevitable, though not your fault,  

Still, you wonder if their words held some truth.

But here’s the truth they never saw,  

In stepping up, you showed your might,  

It takes more courage to love despite the fear,  

To build a family, to stand and fight.

You’re not defined by what’s been lost,  

Nor by the whispers of those who judge,  

Your worth is in the heart that tried,  

In the lessons learned, in the strength to budge.

So take this day, though the skies are gray,  

To know you’ve journeyed far, and you’re still here,  

The road ahead is yours to pave,  

With each new step, let go of fear.

For in your soul, there’s still a spark,  

A man of courage, who’s walked through dark,  

You’ve weathered storms, and though winds still blow,  

You’ve a heart that loves, a heart that’ll grow.