“You can love someone and still leave them.”
Beau Taplin, an Australian writer and creative director, rose to fame in the early 2010s as part of a new wave of "Instapoets." Unlike the dense, metaphorical labyrinths of classical poetry, Taplin’s work is sparse. His lines are short. His stanzas are breath-sized.
It is easy to understand why relationships end when there is cheating or cruelty. It is much harder to accept an ending when both people are still good, loving partners. This is the core of Taplin's message. beau taplin the awful truth
"One day, whether you are 14, 28 or 65 you will stumble upon someone who will start a fire in you that cannot die. However, the saddest, most awful truth you will ever come to find—is they are not always with whom we spend our lives."
It gives a name to the specific grief of losing a "soulmate" who is still alive but simply not part of your daily world. “You can love someone and still leave them
Painful endings often clear the path for healthier, more aligned connections later in life. Redefining Success in Love
You might feel completely healed on Tuesday and find yourself crying on the kitchen floor by Thursday night. It is easy to understand why relationships end
Imagine meeting someone at twenty-eight who feels like "home," even though you've never been there before. They speak your name in a way that feels like a revelation, and for a moment, the world is just a chorus to your shared verse. But as time passes, the "awful truth" begins to settle:
The painting itself is a masterclass in composition and mood. Taplin's use of chiaroscuro, a strong contrast between light and dark, creates a sense of tension and foreboding. The figures in the painting are rendered in a stark, almost brutal manner, with their facial expressions conveying a sense of desperation and despair.
: The central "awful truth" is the distinction between a person who ignites one's soul and a person who is practical for daily life. It acknowledges that circumstances, timing, or personal growth can separate two people who share a deep, authentic bond.
The poem highlights a painful duality: you can find the love of your life and still not be able to build a life with them. Circumstances, timing, and personal growth can lead people in different directions even when the emotional connection remains.