Poetic Reflections: the silent resonance of regret

a column by Lori R. Lopez


Another month, another poem. When all is said and done, as I look back on my achievements — and lacks thereof; the list of unfinished goals — this column is one thing I will not regret. It reminds me to exercise my love of verse. To spare some minutes for a cherished pursuit. I have too long forsaken my songwriting passion. Too easily ignored other beloved penchants, the dreams and druthers that shape who I am. It is these glaring omissions that plague me most as Time courses too swiftly past.

But I will not waste a second of what remains on remorse, pity, or self-blame. Compunctually, whatever mistakes and poor choices were made — whatever misery befell, disaster struck — it is too late to change. I can only rethink my present and future. This is all I have left. I prefer to spend it recouping, recovering, reveling and rejoicing. Not rehashing, reliving, regretting. I can only try to do better. Try to aim for the road I should have taken. Following my heart.

THE SILENT RESONANCE OF REGRET

Take my advice, don’t listen

Don’t heed the call

To spend your years near the coast

When you love the forest

Don’t plant your feet on the ground

If your spirit yearns to fly

And don’t, for anyone’s sake, even your own

Look back at the end of Life

To realize you haven’t lived

No one could ask that of anyone

 

Regret is a bitter lesson

That gnaws us through and through

Yet some regret must be swept aside

Neither felt nor spoken

For it is the good not the bad to be reaped

Sometimes springing as a bright result

And this is what we should cling to

However rocky the path

Or steep the ascent

It is the lesson to learn

 

Regret can resonate in silence

Or shriek loudly through our lips

It can chew us up and spit us out

For breakfast, lunch, or dinner

Yet will never let go

It can turn us into who we are not

Who we would never become without it

Therefore do not succumb

Do not be drawn in

To its voracious maw

 

Ignore that enticing resonance

Or it will guide your steps

It will sharpen your tongue

To speak what should remain unspoken

Then tie it in knots

When words might heal

The wounds inflicted

Do not yield to that vibrant song unsung

Or you will spend the rest of your years

Deeply regretting it.

~ Published ~
September 8, 2009

Spread The Word

Tell Someone (you know who)!

Share on Pinterest

Related Books

Keep The Heart Of A Child
A humorous and serious collection of poems, prose and song lyrics by Lori R. Lopez, author of CHOCOLATE-COVERED . . .
The Queen Of Hats
A collection of very unusual verse, ranging from wacky to dark to narrative. Lori R. Lopez writes her . . .
Darkverse: The Shadow Hours
A rich gathering of poetry with a dismal twilight atmosphere, a brooding nature, an eerie tone . . . . .
Blood On The Moon
This dark, silly, and serious sequel to KEEP THE HEART OF A CHILD and THE QUEEN OF HATS . . .

A part of Poetic Reflections: The Column by Lori R. Lopez

You might also enjoy . . .