Love on Bird Lane

By Lynn V. Letti

What happens when "happily ever after" doesn't pan out? In this bittersweet poetic memoir, readers experience the raw gamut of emotions of one mother coping with a major betrayal of her long-term life partner and the ensuing divorce. Letti and her young daughter rebuild their world together, all the while navigating the challenges of home hunting and the hilarious foibles of Letti's (numerous) post-divorce dates. When the perfect new home is finally found on Bird Lane, love appears to be right around the corner - but with an unexpected twist that will leave the audience cheering.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LVL Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Jun 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223791805

Book preview

Love on Bird Lane

Lynn V. Letti

Published by LVL Publishing, LLC, 2023.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

LOVE ON BIRD LANE

First edition. June 10, 2023.

Copyright © 2023 Lynn V. Letti.

Written by Lynn V. Letti.

This poetic memoir is dedicated to my village, the kindness of random strangers, my parents for their endless support and bottomless well of love, and to my resilient and intuitive daughter who inspires me every day to be a better version of myself.

The destiny that matters most in anyone’s life is the one concerning love.

–Nicholas Sparks

––––––––

Dearest Nicholas Sparks,

With the utmost acidic disrespect, what the hell do you know?!

Sincerely, 

A Bitter Middle-Aged Ole’ Bittie

Over and over his voice replays in my mind.

My grip on the toilet tightens.

She’s perfect.

Hanging on so that my gasps and sobs and need

to vomit don’t detach me from the cold

porcelain anchor.

What did you think was going to happen?

Desperate for anything to keep me from unraveling,

to keep me from clawing at the discomfort and the

fear thrashing underneath my skin.

You dangled her in front of my face.

Hanging on, violently shaking

from betrayal

from pain

from devastation.

Face up to the heavens, pleading,

for mercy

for love

for survival

for peace.

Divorce Directions:

Step 1: Throw twenty different 1000-piece puzzles in the air, during a hurricane.

Step 2: When they hit the ground, pick up all of the pieces, and put them back into the correct boxes.

Step 3: Realize that’s an impossible task. Throw a temper tantrum. Kick and scream and cry and vomit and heave and claw. 

Step 4: Clean the snot from your face and pull up your big girl panties.

Step 5: Make a beautiful mosaic with both old and new puzzle pieces. 

Step 6: Live outside of those boxes from now on.

When she was with her father   

I’d cocoon myself in the blankets

on my paren

ts’ couch,

desperately willing myself to emerge

as a bold and beautiful Monarch.

Their deep hugs.

Their forehead kisses.

Their reassuring smiles.

Their home cooked meals.

Their understanding. 

Their support.

Wrapped in their love

almost made me whole again.

Some fled from me,

ran as if I were a leper.

But I understood.

Being exposed to another’s vulnerability

reminds us of our own vulnerability.

Seeing somebody’s nakedness

sparks our own fear of exposure.

Grieving for the death of somebody 

reminds us of