I Don't Know When You Stopped Loving Me

I'll spend tonight alone
Yesterday you said goodbye
Said you didn't love me anymore
And we were through

You think I might have known
What could be the reason why you left
You're still the darling I adore
But now there's nothing I can do

I don't know when you stopped loving me
And lord only knows I don't know why
Was it something I did or did not do
That caused you to say goodbye?

I gave you my heart and you tore it apart
I thought it was love we were making
But now I can see that you never loved me
And my heart is breaking

I don't know how I'll stop loving you
And heaven knows I don't know when
So I guess I'll go on loving you
Till then

-Paul Olguin

This poem is actually the lyrics to the barbershop song I Don't Know When You Stopped Loving Me, which was written, composed, and arranged by Paul Olguin. I sing bass in a barbershop quartet; the tenor of the quartet knows Paul Olguin, and managed to get a copy of the music for us to sing. I enjoyed singing the song so much that I felt I simply had to use it for one of my poems.
The rhyme scheme of the poem is not extensive; the introduction (first two stanzas) have no rhyme scheme at all, while the the third and fourth stanzas have rhyming in the last words of the second and fourth lines. The fifth stanza has rhyming between the first and third lines, and the second and fourth lines. This would normally be supplemented by the music that accompanies the poem, making the lack of rhyme unnoticeable.
The poem concerns the feeling of longing, love, and loss felt by the poet, who had just been cut off by their lover. The poet feels so attached to the lover that they are not even certain that they will ever get over them. The relationship seems to have ended suddenly, as the poet is unknowing of why the lover left. The relationship also seems to have been going very well, which confuses the poet even more, as well as giving the poet a stronger feeling of loss.
This poem is most likely the prettiest ballad I have ever heard. It conveys feelings of sadness, love, and loss, while not being angry or particularly contemptuous. It is a beautiful poem and song, which I enjoy singing and listening to.