Regret
can be its own kind of prison.
Words spoken,
promises broken,
friendships untended,
paths not taken,
choices made,
lives not lived,
talents disregarded,
courage lacking…
while there may be
validity
in these reminiscences,
the weight is crushing
possibilities
for here and now.
*title borrowed from Natalie Diaz’s “Of Course She Looked Back”
Reflecting. Discovering. Learning.
a spark to linger along the way
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Thank you, Beth, for my daily reminder to let go. I may glance at my past in the rearview mirrors. I need not stare or else I crash!
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Wow, so much power and reflection in carefully selected phrases. Sage advice, my friend!
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Thanks for introducing me to Natalie Diaz’s poem. A bunch to contemplate with Lot’s wife! In your poem I love the balance of past reflection but not immobilization.
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Your poem prompts many thought for me. At my age, I am trying to live each day to the fullest, try new things and not have too many regrets. I love each part of this, because they all deserve pondering.
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I live with someone who lives with regret, grass is always greener, kind of regret. There is so much truth in this powerful poem.
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Wow! This says a lot in such few words. The metaphor of regret being a prison is spot on. Nicely done.
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Your perceptive list of regrets really flows and accumulates and gives this poem a lot of power. Everybody has at least part of your list. Thank you for the very healthy reminder.
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