Where the Crawdads Sing

by Delia Owens

I did care. . . . I did say everything I thought In the mildest words I knew. And now, . . . I have to say I am relieved it is over: At the end I could feel only pity For that urge toward more life. . . . Goodbye.

Needing people ended in hurt.

Giving away another piece of herself just to have someone else.

“I must let go now. Let you go. Love is too often The answer for staying. Too seldom the reason For going. I drop the line And watch you drift away.

It was always you. One side of her heart longing, the other shielding.