From Robert Lee Brewer:
For today’s prompt, write a regret poem. Most people regret some action they’ve taken over the years, whether it’s saying the wrong thing, making the wrong choice, or putting off something for a tomorrow that never comes. Write about your own regrets, or the regrets of others (this is a great opportunity to write a persona poem).
In the Air Force,
ReplyDeletewhen offered Russian
school, my father convinced
me I was
incapable.
Earned a Computer
Science degree, wanted
a Masters.
He told me I
was incapable.
Didn't consult about
college, thank
god. Only asked
when afraid. Maybe
I knew he would say no.
I needed
my father to
encourage me, state
I could do anything,
to say yes.
I listened both
times, did not learn
Russian, never obtained
a Masters.
I regret it.
I've been told he bragged
about me. What an ass.
Told others
without telling
me I did well.
well written. I like the way it flows.
DeleteIt's Tad's 5/4 form. It's my fall back when nothing else works. Lines are 3/4/5/6 syllables long in a rotating sequence (Mine starts 4/5/6/3) but each stanza is 5 lines long (so the first stanza has 4/5/6/3/4) so it gives the feel of free verse while actually having a pattern.
Deletei like it... will have to try this on a future poem
DeleteVery sad and sorrowful. I feel so bad for you. He told me girls don't go to college they have to learn to type in order to get a job. Very well written poem. gently flowing.
Deletewhy do I feel like we've done this before?
ReplyDeleteRegrets?
Regrets? Perhaps I have a few
But I wouldn’t change a thing
Those regrets are part of what
Gave me the will to dance and sing
To live my life as best I can
And not regret a moment of it
No, I don’t hold onto regrets
But hold onto life and love it.
So if you regret a thing or two
That stops you in your tracks
Remember life moves forward
Never does it go back.
So let those regrets go
You can’t change them now
Your life they will only slow
So to regrets say ciao.
Awesome! I love this. And I had the same feeling, but couldn't find a poem, so maybe I did not. LOL
DeleteVery very good!!! I had a heck of a time finding anything that I regret in my entire life. But I finally managed one thing and it turned out ok. So your poem said it all. Love it!!!
DeleteI have a soul wrenching regret in my heart
ReplyDeleteI gave my children up when they were young
I got lost in my own exciting life
I thought the children were better off with their dad
I gave my children up when they were young
went traveling to try to find a better life
I thought the children were better off with their dad
then I learned my 8 year old daughter was molested twice
went traveling to try to find a better life
we found a place in Kentucky, but it burned to the ground
then I learned my 8 year old daughter was molested twice
I tried to get my children back but his sister had them then
we found a place in Kentucky, but it burned to the ground
we found a place in Utah, but the Mormons were too strict
I tried to get my children back but his sister had them then
she wouldn't let me see them, said I was insane
We found a place in Utah, but the Mormon were too strict
we headed back home, found work so I could get my kids
She wouldn't let me see them, said I was insane
we rounded up the children after school one day, had a little talk
We headed back home, found work so I could get my kids
We got a nice apartment in a decent neighborhood hoping for the best
we rounded up the children after school one day, had a little talk
they were miserable and unhappy, hated where they were
We got a nice apartment in a decent neighborhood hoping for the best
we told them they could pack their clothes and just move out
they were miserable and unhappy, hated where they were
the boys moved in with their dad, the girls came with us
we told them they could pack their clothes and just move out
I got lost in my own exciting life
the boys moved in with their dad, the girls came with us
I have a soul wrenching regret in my heart
this really is heart wrenching and I wondered if you would write about this. do me one favor and change it so it doesn't sound as if rich molested her as it was steve. the way it is written it sounds as if it was rich.
DeleteWow. Amazing telling of that story. Very intense.
DeleteOh my dear!!!How beautifully you have told this story, and how sad it is that you needed to do this. I do so sympathize.
ReplyDeleteRegret is a bitter taste
ReplyDeleteOn the tongue
and a sad song
in the heart.
I have no real regrets,
Despite the fact that I might
have reasons to.
For even though
the flowers that wilted
because I didn't water them
could not be revived
my next were better tended.
I like the way you began this poem. A bitter taste on the tongue and a sad song in the heart. That is regret in a nutshell. I only have aloe because you can forget to water them for a long time and they survive. lol fun poem.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda, I am glad you liked the poem and the metaphor. Hugs to you.
Delete