Carolyn Devonshire - Harry Horsman's Blog

A poem, from my favourites by Carolyn which to me epitomized everything about her as a poet, but more so as a human being.

REGRET 

Why I did it, I don’t know

Tornado of regret tortures my heart

On a moonless night,

he approached

Limping toward me as I pumped gas

Why was it fear and not compassion

With which I greeted him Surely homeless,

he must have slept

‘neath stars Society’s outcasts camp on the beach,

Crossing the coastal highway

only under night’s cloak

Deep lines on his sun-aged skin

Bespoke many years, perhaps 70 Dirty clothes tattered,

barely covering his thin frame No,

I have no spare change No, no,

I won’t help you

I just wanted him to go away

Disappointment filled his eyes

He turned and hobbled to a nearby bench When he sat,

I was horrified

All his possessions lay beside him

on the seat

An old Army cap he pulled out And placed it on his head

He fought for our country

And I could not find a few dollars to help As I drove away,

I burst into tears Feeling ashamed,

disgusted with myself Only two blocks from home,

I turned my car around But he had moved on.