Saturday, January 31, 2009

Regret

The future's fluid, but the past is set
in stone. You wonder why some people find
it bitter-sweet to wallow in regret

instead of making changes that would let
things turn out better next time. Undefined,
the future's fluid, but the past is set

like hard cement, an unforgiven debt
the present time has failed to leave behind.
It's bitter-sweet. To wallow in regret

may not be useful, but it's a sucker-bet
that folks will clear those memories from their mind.
The future's fluid, but the past is set

like stucco sloughing. People do forget
in self-defense. Amnesia is kind
though bitter-sweet. To wallow in regret

is difficult for lovers newly met
whom every sunrise serves but to remind:
their future's fluid, though their pasts are set
and they've no need to wallow in regret.

Collection available! Knocking from Inside

3 comments:

Tumblewords: said...

Perfect! You make forms look so easy - they are wonderful under your craftsmanship.

Sherri B. said...

Brilliantly done...I don't know what style of poem this is, but it looks incredibly challenging. You made it look very easy! Thanks for a great read.

Tricia said...

This is a lovely villanelle. I'll admit to being one who wallows in regret. Sometimes I can forgive myself, but can't forget.