Terry Miller Poet Pantoum

My Foolish Heart

What kind of foolish heart would let you slip from grasp?
In a land of ten-thousand fools, I would be the king of them
I will now forever walk a lonely path that I have laid myself;
sorrow, torment, regret will be my ever-present burden.

In a land of ten-thousand fools, I would be the king of them
I strayed, lapsed, and failed to stay my earthy urges.
Sorrow, torment, regret will be my ever-present burden.
If it were possible to turn back the clock, I would in instant.

I strayed, lapsed, and failed to stay my earthy urges
Senseless self-gratification, a massaged ego, failure.
If it were possible to turn back the clock, I would in instant.
Could I sing "Non, je ne regrette rien." No, it would be a lie.

Senseless self-gratification, a massaged ego, failure.
Empty glasses in empty bars, this empty foolish heart
Could I sing "Non, je ne regrette rien." No, it would be a lie.
I said my sorries, yet you knew weakness would lead me to repeat.

I saw you gliding by across a busy street today and realized
I will now forever walk a lonely path that I have laid myself
Your beauty, within you and without, what have I done?
What kind of foolish heart would let you slip from grasp?

MY FOOLISH HEART Cash Prize Poetry Contest; placed 5th
Sponsored by: L MILTON HANKINS  
Date wrote: 3rd April 2022

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Suzanne Delaney September 1, 2024 at 2:39 AM Terry, An amazing Pantoum, that didn't have the monotonous feel of a Pantoum when reading it. Complex emotions that come across with a raw honesty. A Fav for me. SuZ Terry Miller September 1, 2024 at 1:31 PM Oh, what a surprise, thank you so very much

Malabika Ray Choudhury May 2, 2022 at 10:38 AM Oh Terry, I love this poem so much! Many of us had been foolish, and let go the precious relationships in life. Fave for me - want to read it several times. BW ~ Mala Terry Miller June 24, 2022 at 12:24 AM Thank you so very much for your kind comments

Meghan Hutchings April 7, 2022 at 7:29 PM Congratulations, Terry! Your poem is beautiful! I can only hope every man and/or woman who has been foolish could be so humble as to express remorse in brilliant poetic form! Excellent job! God bless and much love...Meghan! Terry Miller April 12, 2022 at 12:49 AM Thank you Meghan for your kind comments.

Sam Kauffman April 7, 2022 at 11:48 AM Excellent Terry. I really like this one especially as the foolish heart realizes what it threw away - great perceptive outlook! Congratulations on your win! Terry Miller April 12, 2022 at 12:49 AM Thank you so much, Sam.

Caren Krutsinger April 6, 2022 at 8:48 AM Congratulations! You nailed this one! Terry Miller April 7, 2022 at 8:03 AM Appreciate it, Caren

Evelyn Judy Buehler April 5, 2022 at 7:55 AM Terry, this is a beautifully written pantoum, filled with the anguish of regret. Congratulations on your well deserved win. Evelyn :) Terry Miller April 7, 2022 at 8:02 AM Thank you, Evelyn

Jenna Logan April 5, 2022 at 4:26 AM I see congratulations are due to you as well. A self-exposed failure at letting love slip away... well done, Terry. Terry Miller April 5, 2022 at 7:20 AM Thank you Jenna

Mystic Rose Rose April 5, 2022 at 3:51 AM Dear Terry, your pantoum had a beautiful rhythm like a heart beat it rolled off my tongue as I read it, congratulations on your win, it was a well delivered verse, this is not an easy form you can be proud of your achievement, have a great day, brave it like a soldier, :) Terry Miller April 5, 2022 at 7:21 AM Thank you so much

Valsa George April 5, 2022 at 2:40 AM Back to your great poem once again with Congratulations ! A deserving win, dear friend ! Terry Miller April 5, 2022 at 7:21 AM Thank you again Valsa

Christuraj Alex April 4, 2022 at 10:51 PM Pantoum at its best. Congratulations! Terry Miller April 5, 2022 at 1:53 AM Thank you so much

Eve Roper April 4, 2022 at 6:07 PM Congratulations on your win, Terry. A lovely write. Blessings my friend Terry Miller April 5, 2022 at 1:53 AM Thank you, Eve, I appreciate your kind comments.

L Milton Hankins April 4, 2022 at 1:01 PM Congratulations, Terry, on your fine poem in my contest, My Foolish Heart. I really enjoyed reading it. Terry Miller April 5, 2022 at 1:54 AM Thank you Milt, I appreciate the placement and your running of these contests.

Paula Goldsmith April 4, 2022 at 12:56 PM Congratulations on your win. A wonderful write. Our foolish heart will let us do many things in life. Have a blessed day/week................. Terry Miller April 5, 2022 at 1:54 AM This is true, Paula. Thank you for your kind comments have a great week yourself.

Mike Gentile April 4, 2022 at 11:02 AM Terry, you perfectly extolled the makings of a foolish heart and did it with such beautiful style! I loved it! Good luck! Terry Miller April 5, 2022 at 1:55 AM Thank you, Mike, I always appreciate your visits and kind comments.

Reason A. Poteet April 4, 2022 at 7:22 AM Love that repeating line, "In a land of ten thousand fools, I would be king of them." not to diminish the power of "I've said my sorries..." Well-written pantoum indeed with details and imagery galore. Terry Miller April 5, 2022 at 1:55 AM Thank you so much for your too kind comments.

Caren Krutsinger April 4, 2022 at 7:22 AM Terrifically well penned "Could I sing "Non, je ne regrette rien." No, it would be a lie." Terry Miller April 5, 2022 at 1:56 AM Thank you, Caren.

Regina Mcintosh April 4, 2022 at 5:40 AM WOW! I love love love this. Such a beautiful write and a sure winner. Love it. God bless you my friend. Love, Gina Terry Miller April 5, 2022 at 1:57 AM Thank you so much; I do appreciate your comments. Regina Mcintosh April 4, 2022 at 5:40 AM A FAV!!!

Valsa George April 4, 2022 at 4:23 AM Yes, it was foolish to let her slip from your grasp ! It happens sometimes, not because you are foolish.... but because you became impotent before 'a foolish fate'.... ! Terry you are a gifted writer and never foolish.... Lol :) :) Terry Miller April 5, 2022 at 1:58 AM Thank you Valsa, it was many years ago now.

Mystic Rose Rose April 4, 2022 at 3:53 AM Oh Terry, my heart is mush when I read soft poetry such as this, your soul is tenderized, your words pastel and liquid. I see it on a winners list, brave the day and hope for tomorrow, better things await, give love not hate, :) Terry Miller April 5, 2022 at 1:58 AM Thank you so much

Line Gauthier April 3, 2022 at 12:38 PM Love your inclusion of "Non, Je ne regrette rien" but I would recommend lower case 'je' and no punctuation within the quote, maybe a period. A beautiful poem ~ Terry Miller April 3, 2022 at 1:36 PM Thank you for your constructive comment I sincerely appreciate it