I do not remember you as you were
only as what you became
I cannot recall fond memories of you
but only ones that bring me pain

and through all this unknowing
I love you still
and yet forget
yet when memory serves
that aching pain ceases to omit

and through this gift, this saving
it brought tears to my eyes
for you I wear it proudly
thoughts of how you may have been surmise

and I'd wish I'd known you better
before this heartache and this pain
for things that never were
can never be again

but when the many years have passed
I will see you once again
and I will learn all the things
that were and might have been

A. E Loewer

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-do-not-remember-you-as-you-were/