I cannot love him.
Not the way he is asking me to.

When I look at him,
I see what a masterpiece

You have made—
An admirable mind,
a kind spirit,
a man deserving of genuine,
unrestrained love.

You have given me enough
understanding to see
that it is time to walk away.
Now I ask for the wisdom
to help him understand,
to speak tenderly,
without condescending,
to speak honestly,
without hurting him needlessly,
and to walk away with the peace of knowing
that I gave another human being
the best I was able to give—
even if it was less than he asked for.

When it is over,
stay with us both.
Bring us comfort and peace,
that we may find in You the completion
we could not find in one another.