Hi Wendy,

Still not convinced knowing or wanting to know why makes it any stronger, but I thought about it some. What about this as the first chorus?

I need a reason why he's gone
Why I didn't see he'd leave eventually
I need a reason why he's gone

The thing about bringing The Bitterroots into it any more, she isn't bitter, she just wants to move on, still sad but hopeful.
Thanks for thinking so much about it.

Ricki