Long lost

Long ago lost
But never let go.
The pain sharp
As the mind and body struggle
To grasp the reality of the loss.
The one recently passed
Was not who you thought.
He fooled you, fooled everyone.
Led you on and made you believe
That he was still the same person.
Don't grieve now for the impostor.
Grieve for the true loss
That happened many years before.
When he allowed something else to take your place.
When he gave himself over
To the lure of the illusion.
That is the moment to grieve for.
The body may have given up recently,
But the spirit gave up long ago.