Miles of Regret
Tragedy in poetry
Standing room only, Chairs filled with Sniffles and jarring coughs. Wringing hands, I’m dying to leave. But I hear Won’t you stay? Antiseptic and bodily fluids, My stomach turns over. Final moments searing Through a feverish mind Like flashing lights Blue and red, I hear the echo of regret ask Won’t you stay? Answered by Oppressive silence Full of absolutes My loudest, surest barbs. You always… Well, you never… Hubris outpaced restraint Like screeching tires Around a sharp curve. Pride punched through love Like broken glass. Anger meets Eternity As the tires sing Amen Before Mercy has its say. My white flag draped Over you, Far too late. I’ll never escape The scorekeeper. Death: all Me: nothing I won the argument But lost a lifetime. —AW