My White Lace Tablecloth

I washed my white lace tablecloth and hung it out to dry
The bleach did the best it could-it was worth the try
'Though no one else can see, the stain still remains
As old as time itself 
Stubborn as mildew rot

One false step, one careless word forever etched in time
Travels the universe, endlessly
In search of a place to rest  
What would I not give to reverse that step
To retrieve that hateful word

Tread lightly in your daily walk, o'er hills and valleys in between
Plot well your steps and weigh your words
So you'll have nothing to regret, like the
Unkind words carved deeply upon your heart
I wash my white lace tablecloth again, again and again!
~*~
10/09/2007
Copyright © | Year Posted 2007

Poem

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Horne Avatar
April 1, 2013 at 10:23 AM
wow, this so powerful, my friend - just love it
Jones Avatar
February 20, 2013 at 4:03 PM
Beautiful poem and much deserved win....:-)
A   Avatar
February 19, 2013 at 4:05 PM
Annalise, congratulations with your awesome poem..xox~pd
Gildersleeve Avatar
February 19, 2013 at 7:27 AM
A wonderful poem you wrote my friend. A congrats is in order on your deserve win. Warm Smiles, Connie
Arowolo Avatar
February 18, 2013 at 11:03 PM
Beautiful and interesting narrative,my dear friend.Congrats on your well deserved win..xoxo..
May Avatar
February 18, 2013 at 4:41 PM
great write and win Annalise....congrats
Guzzi Avatar
February 18, 2013 at 3:34 PM
I'm sure we all have many things we wish we didn't say, but then again..not saying anything is for me a worse behavior ;) Congrad's on your win. Light & Love
La France Avatar
November 9, 2010 at 9:45 AM
What wonderful words, I love the concept of the stained lace tablecloth, and oh so true,, one careless word, ripples on and on and on and it seems you can never take it back... thanks for comments on my poetry~~
Babcock Avatar
October 23, 2010 at 2:28 PM
Congratulations on your poem being featured this week. God Bless Phyl
Brown Avatar
October 19, 2010 at 9:44 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved poetry being featured this week Audrey. Love, Carol
Roberts Avatar
October 17, 2010 at 5:55 PM
wonderful poem Audrey , congrats on having it featured this week
Kendrick Avatar
October 17, 2010 at 4:39 PM
Congratulations on your work being on third page feature this week..It is right next to mine..Sara
Brown Avatar
August 13, 2010 at 6:07 AM
I am feeling the urge to go back and read poetry from earlier writing of my favorite poets today and this is the one I opened of yours Audrey. I truly enjoyed reading it today and it is one of your best. Love, Carol
Flach Avatar
July 8, 2010 at 7:13 AM
Audrey, a very creative and interesting entry. I loved the anology of the stained tablecloth to a "careless word forever etched in time". One thing to consider, maybe I am reading it wrong, but should the first word of the last stanza be "Thread" or "Tread"? Maybe either works fine, just one thought I had as I read it over. Thanks for submitting this beautiful poem in my contest. Joe
Brown Avatar
July 8, 2010 at 6:56 AM
Congratulations Audrey on your win in Joe Flach's contest "A Poem That Doesn't Rhyme". Love, Carol
Devonshire Avatar
July 7, 2010 at 7:45 PM
We can't change the past, Audrey, but it is good to proceed forward with caution and "plot well your steps and weight your words." Beautifully written poem and well deserving of your success in the contest! Love you, Carolyn
Richards Avatar
July 7, 2010 at 12:51 PM
What an excellent metaphor...wishing we could right a wrong...a tablecloth that cannot be washed clean...wow! ~ Carrie
Adeite Avatar
July 7, 2010 at 11:57 AM
Congrats on your well deserved win in Joe’s contest. your write was great! May you have many more wins as you keep your passionate pen alive… Please keep writing great poems, and enjoy this honor. Love, Adeleke
Johnson Avatar
July 7, 2010 at 10:44 AM
A wonderful comparison. Some spots are hard to remove on tablecloths or in life. Great poem and great win. Love, Joyce
Dietrich Avatar
July 7, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Oh,my, I LOVE this, Audrey. How did I not ever see it? A fav for this, dear, and congrats in the contest! Luv, Andrea
Shango Avatar
December 11, 2009 at 6:28 AM
Awesome and beautiful, thoughtful and inspiring ... a pleasure to read.
Fraser Avatar
October 17, 2009 at 10:57 AM
A touch of wisdom in the nice piece Audrey >> James
Brown Avatar
October 8, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Isn't this the truth. Awesome writing today Audrey. Love, Carol
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