Anna Elias Poet Free verse

I’m Sorry

I’m sorry.

I really am.

If I could erase
each careless thing I’d say,
I’d trade every one
to take your hurt away.

I had no idea
how deeply I’d gone wrong.
If I’d known you were hurting,
I would’ve stopped before long.

I thought I was joking.
I thought you didn’t care.
I never saw the pain
my words were leaving there.

I’m so used to hearing,
“You’re the best.”
“You’re the smartest.”
“You’ve outdone the rest.”

“You’re the strongest.”
“You’re amazing.”
“You’ll go so far.”
After hearing it enough,
I forgot who people are.

I let all of that praise
go straight to my head.
I thought achievements alone
were what made someone well-read.

I thought grades were greatness.
I thought medals meant more.
I thought being admired
was what life had in store.

I completely ignored
what mattered from the start:
Being humble.
Being gentle.
Being caring.
Having heart.

That’s what truly makes
a person shine through.

Not the praise they receive

but the kindness in you.

I never realized
how lucky I’d been
to have someone so good
and still choose not to see him.

I don’t care
if your grades aren’t as high as mine.
I don’t care
if you’ve written fewer poems than mine.

I don’t care
if you don’t play every sport I do.
None of those things
could ever compare to you.

You could become
all those things if you tried,
but I’d never become you,
no matter my pride.

I could never be
as patient as you.
As sweet.
As caring.
As honest.
As true.

No medal,
no trophy,
no poem I write
could ever give me
a heart that’s as bright.

I thought I was better.
I thought I was above.
I made fun of people
instead of choosing love.

I even made fun of you,
and now I finally see,
the person I looked down on
was always above me.

Not because of your grades.
Not because of your success.
But because your heart
has always held much less

Less pride.
Less ego.
Less wanting to be seen.

And so much more kindness
than I’ve ever been.

I don’t deserve
the patience you’ve shown.
I don’t deserve
the kindness you’ve known.

But if you’ll believe
even one thing I say,

I’m sorry.

Not just today.

I’ll spend every tomorrow
trying to become
someone who deserves
the person you’ve become.

I’m sorry.

I really am.

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Brady Battram July 3, 2026 at 7:18 PM What a beautiful poem, I don't know who this is about but I hope they forgive you I know I would, you seem very honest and remorseful. This is a great poem Anna Elias July 3, 2026 at 9:07 PM Geez thanks so much for your comment. I don’t think the person this poem is about is going to forgive me, but it makes me feel good to know that you would forgive me. Also I know that we don’t know each other but gosh I must say that is an extremely attractive profile picture, just saying