Guilt

[cbrown]

How I wish I had back that moment
That I passed up to speak
When I last saw you from a distance
And chose not to meet
Petty differences they were
Compared to this circumstance
But nothing can change it
For I passed up the chance
Never considering you would choose
To end your life and go on beyond
Now it is over
And nothing can be done
Many years have now passed
But I’ll never relent
The feeling of guilt
The time we could’ve spent
If only I would’ve reached out
To say I love you and all is OK
Would you still be here
To see your son today
I miss you my mother
I pray in heaven you know
That I never stopped loving you
To you my life I owe

[eploscik]

...guilt and shame,they fester like a motherf..ckin disease...and though people tell you to forgive yourself, one can never truly forget, unless you don't have a conscience, which you have as evidenced by the words in the poem...I liked it very much, though very sad...

[jsol]

right about the 10th line this poem takes a vivid and complex turn__which serves to greatly heighten the feelings of guilt this poem is built around__to a fever pitch

[Josie]

This poem was very dramatic and written with clarity of expression. You are a standout when it comes to communicating. So often I feel like I need to interview the poet to understand what the poem was about. Although I missed the lack of periods and question marks, I actually think each line beginning with a capital letter was a technique helping the reader focus on meaning. You sprinkled in a few end rhymes like circumstance/chance, relent/spent, OK/today, and know/ owe that helped guide the reader,too. The title was another technique that helped the reader focus on the writer's purpose. Thank you for sharing.

[cbrown]

Thank you for such a great critique. This is a more personal poem for me as I usually don’t even discuss the tragedy of my mother taking her life. It has been 33 years now and we both were struggling with relationship issues. The last day I saw her we were about 50 feet apart and I chose not go up and speak due to the troubles we were having. I would walk a hundred miles now if I had the chance over.

[Liquid Bear]

This poem touched me. The pain and guilt of not choosing to put pride and anger aside is quite palpable, something I can partly relate to. I hope the experience of writing and sharing this poem has been a cathartic one for you.

Bear

[rupertpupkin]

Lovely write . Honest and heart breaking. Well constructed and a sad joy to read. Well done on a most deserving spotlight.