memories

artwork by phil burns

Click here to hear the poet read his words:

memories

when I awaken
in the dead of night
I find
long-forgotten memories
softly slithering
through a crack in my consciousness…

sometimes they raise a smile
a warm feeling
for a happier time
a special person
a successful relationship
however fleeting…

but more frequently they cause pain
as I did
far too often
perhaps through indifference
or selfishness
more than malice
but nevertheless…

and then come the regrets
for things done
and not done
for love rejected
and love lost
for people once important
but not important enough…

and emotions stumble around
inside my aching head
and wretched heart
nostalgia and
sorrow
but mostly
and most deservedly
guilt

This entry was posted in Poetry and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

6 Responses to memories

  1. Excellent ! Naked and raw …. not dressed up.

    Like

  2. jenne49 says:

    One voice speaks here, but speaks for everyman and everywoman. The observations are acute and the poem beautiful. Sore and beautiful.

    Like

  3. Forgiving ourselves is nearly impossible. An all too familiar haunting theme. You nailed it!

    Liked by 1 person

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