John Anderson Poet Rhyme

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My Enemy has an Alibi

Yesterday keeps returning things, I wish I'd never said,
Each one stamped NO RETURNS — then left beside my bed.
The receipts for anger, pride and grudges say they're mine;
Yesterday then grinned: "You wanted all of them at the time."

Regret arrived, dusting every bridge I'd burned.
Lifting fingerprints from lessons left unlearned.
"If Only" trailed behind him, circling every warning sign—
Funny how he never mentioned one of them at the time.

"If Only" kept his list: "The calls I never made,"
"The times I should have stayed, the debts I should have paid."
I cornered him: "Where were you when I missed the gate?"
He checked his watch. "I'm If Only! I'm always half-past late."

Yesterday, swears I started it; I swear that's what he began.
We called for independent witnesses—each one answered, "I am."
I won the final argument; Yesterday just gave way—
I kept the final word, but no one else would stay.

I blamed him for the doors I slammed, the chances left to die.
The things I could have done, but didn't – too afraid to try.
He shrugged—he chose none of it, he'd said nothing to no one.
Yesterday was just the crime scene, but I'm the one, holding the gun.

Yesterday can't change a bloody thing; Tomorrow's not here yet.
Today stood at my doorway while I cross-examined Regret.
"Just give me one more minute." Today, smiled and slipped away.
Regret pulled out another chair: "We'll settle this ... Yesterday."

I caught "If Only" whispering, "There's more evidence to find."
While Regret kept rearranging every crime scene in my mind.
Yesterday finally snapped: "Stop pinning this on me."
"I only own what happened." You still owe what's yet to be.

So, I emptied my pockets of the pride, old grudges, and debt,
Handed "If Only" all the receipts, left evidence with Regret.
Then Today knocked once again. This time I opened the gate.
Tomorrow winked: "Come on—there's more mistakes to make, mate."

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Margarita Lillico August 28, 2026 at 8:06 PM Congratulations John! Yesterday Regret If Only! What a clever insight into the theme with a quirky punchline! Love it! Thank you! M John Anderson August 28, 2026 at 8:38 PM thanks very much for sponsoring contests - It's So Inspiring ann Enjoyable! Have Fun!

William Alexander August 20, 2026 at 10:24 PM I greatly appreciated this one; it reminded me of the enemy, inner me. I especially enjoyed the line, "Come on, there are more mistakes to make, mate." Lifting fingerprints from lessons left unlearned. Conceptual illustration. Thanks, mate.