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Living With Guilt

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I'm at your grave on this mournful day There is so much that I want to say I turned my back when you needed me Ignored the signs that were plain to see. I was so selfish living the life Didn't matter that you were my wife You were dying but I looked away Guilt I now have that is here to stay. I'm much wiser now but it's too late And must live now with what is my fate I had my chance but threw it away Bad choices I made now I must pay. You forgave me as you were dying We hugged and kissed and you were crying I realised then that our love was true I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. Written 25th April 2019 For Apology Poetry Contest. Sponsored By Line Gauthier.

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Valsa George

Date: 5/1/2022 2:53:00 AM

We will have to regret over a delayed action ! Love delayed is love denied ! Now since she has gone, no amount of remorse can atone the feelings of resentment she must have felt earlier ! At the end, it is so comforting that he could express his sorrow over his past neglect and that she could die with the contentment that he still loved her.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/2/2022 12:16:00 AM

Thank you Valsa, Just back from my travels so playing catch up with comments. I've read of many living with regrets, but sadly for many it's too late to make a mends and they have to live with it.. Tom

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 5/10/2019 1:41:00 PM

So, so sad but so, so creatively penned. I could hear this man's heartbeat, asking his dead wife to forgive him! He just found the burden of guilt too much to bear! I'm having a cry now! Great write my friend. Hugs, Jennifer.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/10/2019 2:38:00 PM

Thank you very much Jennifer, such a sad situation to be in for sure. Sometime we don't realise what we have until its gone but sometimes its too late and we have to carry the burden of that mistake. Have a great weekend Tom

Robert Lindley

Date: 5/10/2019 8:14:00 AM

This is a heartbreaking but beautifully composed piece my great friend. One that showcases your immense poetic talents. A Fav... a true gem too....

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/10/2019 8:22:00 AM

Thank you very much Robert, much appreciated. Tom

Beata Agustin

Date: 5/1/2019 9:09:00 AM

Wow! Congrats! Thanks for sharing... God bless you.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/1/2019 9:21:00 AM

Thank you Beata, I'm pleased you liked it. Tom

Alexis Y.

Date: 5/1/2019 7:10:00 AM

Hi Tom, I'm just coming to say congratulations on your 1st place win. It was well deserved:-) Alexis

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/1/2019 9:20:00 AM

Thank you very much Alexis. Tom

Gershon Wolf

Date: 4/30/2019 9:52:00 PM

Returning with congratulations on your richly-deserved 1st-place trophy win with this powerful write. All the best, Tom! ~ Gershon

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/1/2019 3:17:00 AM

Thank you Gershon, didn't think it would do so well after seeing some of the other entries. Tom

Sandra L. Weiss

Date: 4/30/2019 9:13:00 PM

Beautifully written, Tom. We can all relate to pain of regret, but it really is all for naught, isn't it? Glad it is fictional. Congratulations!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/1/2019 3:15:00 AM

Thank you Sandra, you're right, we all have regrets, and when we look back we sometimes cringe and bow with shame. Tom

P.S. Awtry

Date: 4/30/2019 9:02:00 PM

A sobering cautionary tale. Congratulations on your first tier win!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/1/2019 3:12:00 AM

Thank you very much P.S. ,the contest produced some very emotional writes. Tom

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 4/30/2019 1:29:00 PM

Hello Tom, oh such a sad poem brought tears to my eyes. have a nice day my friend.

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 5/2/2019 12:40:00 PM

Okay.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/30/2019 2:33:00 PM

Thank you.very much Darlene, a fictional write for the contest. Tom

Timothy Mcguire

Date: 4/29/2019 7:14:00 PM

Heavy Brother well written

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/30/2019 3:03:00 AM

Thank you Timothy. Tom

Gershon Wolf

Date: 4/28/2019 1:14:00 PM

I'm with Richard (directly below): This is a powerful write: Powerfully, poignantly straight-forwardly penned, Tom. Excellent! ~ Gershon (soupmail)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/28/2019 2:03:00 PM

Thank you very much Gershon and for your soupmail. Tom

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 4/27/2019 5:47:00 PM

A powerful write Tom. I hope it is imaginary not personal experience. Good luck in the contest.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/27/2019 5:51:00 PM

Thank you Richard, yes it was a fictional write, I would struggle to live with that kind of guilt but many do. Tom.

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 4/27/2019 2:27:00 PM

A very moving sobering piece Tom, excellently penned indeed. As others have said many will can relate to this situation. Blessings,Gordon

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/27/2019 2:32:00 PM

Thank you very much Gordon, sometimes mistakes are made but sadly too late to.put things right. Tom.

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 4/27/2019 5:46:00 AM

Touching , human and moving! A fav for me poem my friend, Tom! Sorry I missed it!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/27/2019 6:13:00 AM

Thank you Demetrios, no worries the list moves so quickly sometimes its hard to.keep up.lol

Arturo Michael

Date: 4/26/2019 7:26:00 PM

A nice write...a true write...One of which we are all guilt of one way or the other...

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/27/2019 2:54:00 AM

Thanks Arturo, mistakes we all.make in life, but we should learn from them. Tom.

Ralph Sergi

Date: 4/26/2019 5:43:00 PM

Tom, in life or death, you can always apologize and you should be redeemed. Some people go through life never apologizing and sometimes there is a stigma the stays forever. A very thoughtful and sincere poem.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/27/2019 2:52:00 AM

Thank you Ralph, people do make mistakes in life and if they're truly sorry then I think they should have a second chance. Tom

Ralph Sergi
Date: 4/26/2019 5:43:00 PM

THAT STAYS FOREVER

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 4/26/2019 2:55:00 PM

This beautifully expressed poem brought tears to my eyes Tom. At least there was a kind of closure and a last hug goodbye. I am sure this will do well in the contest. xxoo

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/26/2019 3:58:00 PM

Thank you Connie, I was thinking of what Line was asking for in the contest and thought what could someone be apologising for and came up with this poem, maybe a little on the dark side but have heard of people being in that situation. Tom

Alexis Y.

Date: 4/26/2019 11:00:00 AM

Hi Tom, It is a darn shame how situations like these happen all the time. By the time one realizes how much the other person means to them it's too late. That is why we must let our loved ones know how much we love and appreciate them while still can. Great entry the contest- Alexis

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/26/2019 12:07:00 PM

Thank you Alexis, I've heard of this happening, we should always clear the air with our loved ones because none of us knows what is around the corner. Tom.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 4/26/2019 10:06:00 AM

Chills...is it this wind or your poem

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/26/2019 10:39:00 AM

Hopefully the wind Kim.

Heidi Sands

Date: 4/26/2019 7:47:00 AM

This is deeply written and felt. Excellent poem :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/26/2019 8:01:00 AM

Thank you very much Heidi, I hope you're well. Tom.

Jan Allison

Date: 4/26/2019 7:21:00 AM

such a heartbreaking poem Tom, so glad its fiction but I'm sure there are some who can sadly to relate to a similar scenario:-( hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/26/2019 7:59:00 AM

Thank you Jan, it must be a horrible situation trying to live with guilt. Tom.

Vijay Pandit

Date: 4/26/2019 7:14:00 AM

Such a heartfelt rendering Tom..I too thought it was real until I read the comments below. Well written for a win, Tom.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/26/2019 8:00:00 AM

Thank you very much Vijay, it was for lines apology contest. My muse came up.with it. Tom.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 4/26/2019 3:55:00 AM

- A heartbreaking poem, Tom - Gives the reader tears ... live with bad conscience ... must be painful - Best wishes in the contest - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/26/2019 4:14:00 AM

Thank you Sunshine, I've heard of people living with regret it must be a terrible feeling to live with. Tom

Panagiota Romios

Date: 4/26/2019 3:31:00 AM

Hi Tom, this is so touching should be a POTD in my book. I do hope you forgive yourself! I know how difficult that can be. Our world is practically dying from a need of care and affection. Many need us now. You are only human,we have all made tragic mistakes...myself, included I don't understand. How such beauty gets NO comnents .i apologize for their crudeness. It happens to me and other poets, too. And I won't Comnent anymore to unresponsive poerts, no more pearls before swine, panagiota

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/26/2019 3:39:00 AM

Thank you Panagiota, sorry I should have put that it was a fictional write. When I joined soup it said to encourage a poet and leave a comment and I've tried to do that but as you say some don't bother so I've whittled it down and only comment on those that can be bothered to comment on mine, we all live busy lives and our time is precious too Thanks again. Tom