Little beads of sweat would swell on Craig's brow as he tried to simulate human emotions, I now realize.  


Psychopathy costs normal Americans hundreds of billions of dollars every year using what is a very partial assessment of the costs. 

I was far too credulous and trusting.  If only the facts of psychopathy had been available when I was young I would also have realized Morgan could be a psychopath when she grew up since,clearly, her biological father, Richard Lee Barteaux was one.  

Oops.  

Here is another poem from my period of recovery from Craig.  


From First Jasmine Series 

54.Letting Go Illusions - To Craig Franklin



The tendriled tug of memories reproves my reasoned thought

Sharp and sweet that idylled time, devoid of all but drought

Sanctuaried, love made place

Where I have lingered in embrace



With that one imperfect, personed soul

Who spun out love in raptured flows

Of song borne thought entrancing, glad

Reminding, lighting, the life I had.



Illusioned figment of my mind

Where only grief and sorrows bind

The soul seared silence that you left

Leaving me consumed, bereft.



This, the logic of your acts

Stark and violent, ugly facts.



This the unmade years I'd given

Disposed and sneered, my heart so riven.

That even logic turns away

When so little remains to do and say.



My hand, that still, still longs to touch

Mind reproved, it winced but trusts

Because love filled, consumed, forgave

Till nothing there was left to save.



Addicted to the thought of you

Now realized: who I never knew.



So mind - release your argued wish

Logic, reason delve and sheer

Revoke the memoried source, dismiss

The undone presence once most dear



Remove the Craig who was my heart

That I might breathe, live on, restart

The life I forged from living will

that pain in me be stilled.