Regret

Born out of wedlock
she gave up her baby girl
for quick adoption.

Twice married since, old and frail,
she laments her childless life.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Contest: Regret
Sponsor: Frank Herrera

Chosen POTD-1st Oct 2016
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

12
P  Avatar
October 19, 2016 at 3:09 PM
I actually had to catch my breath at the ending. Succinct and madly affecting.
Callus Avatar
October 20, 2016 at 1:28 PM
Giving up a baby must be heartbreaking, especially after having already cradled and held it close. I wouldn't want to be in such a situation! Thank you for stopping by, Paloma. Regards // paul
Kgaswane Avatar
October 18, 2016 at 10:09 AM
Interesting and concise sad description...
Callus Avatar
October 20, 2016 at 12:36 PM
It is a sad situation, Mpho...Thank you for pausing here to read my work. Pleased to make your acquaintance. // paul
Hay Avatar
October 5, 2016 at 2:25 PM
#7 I bet there are too many heart broken women who can relate to this, so sad yet powerful emotional words Paul. Congrats on the potd too. Warm regards Laura
Callus Avatar
October 8, 2016 at 10:47 AM
Yes, Laura, giving up a child must be a desperate act, a tug-of-war between opposing emotions...a momentary solution that will surely haunt them for life! I feel sorry for them. Thank you for commenting and the congrats. Warm regards // paul
De Beaulieu Avatar
October 5, 2016 at 11:42 AM
Congratulations on your POTD am you.I am proud of you for your POTD .I re wrote my poem so I went to new poems and noticed that it was not there. Where would it be written?
Callus Avatar
October 8, 2016 at 10:12 AM
Thank you for the lovely comments, Darlene:) If you're referring to the "4 line poem" it shows in your list. After a day or two, some new poems do not show any more on the "New Poems" list since others take their place. Regards // paul
Marcum Wong Avatar
October 4, 2016 at 10:07 PM
I commented below Paul..Yay! You got POTD! Congratulations my friend! 7 ; )
Callus Avatar
October 8, 2016 at 9:36 AM
Thank you for revisiting, Connie. I have been very busy lately, and I'm still trying to catch up on things! Have a lovely weekend:) Regards // paul
Daniel Avatar
October 4, 2016 at 8:40 AM
Sorrowful regret indeed, you have captured her emotions nicely in this short form:) congratulations on your POTD, Paul:)
Callus Avatar
October 4, 2016 at 3:34 PM
Thank you Jo; your lovely visit and congrats are most welcome:) Regards // paul
A   Avatar
October 3, 2016 at 2:26 PM
Oh my Paul, this sounds like my mother. I'm adopted and I'm not embarrassed to say it. My biological mother, came into my life so many times, and wanted me back, (I never gave her the pleasure, I never considered it. At the end she finally made a place in my heart, however she slipped away. Now, I regret not giving her the chance she wanted. A very touching tanka...Linda
Callus Avatar
October 3, 2016 at 4:31 PM
Hi Linda! It's a pleasure to have you stopping by...your presence has been missed! There is no reason to be ashamed; after all adoption was not your choice. Many adopted children have benefitted from adoption; it's usually the biological mother who suffers a loss and gains pain instead. ~ Thank you for reading and liking:) Hugs // paul
Lamoureux Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 7:18 PM
You have expressed her pain eloquently.
Callus Avatar
October 3, 2016 at 4:53 PM
Thank you, Richard. Best regards // paul
Duet Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 4:53 PM
So sad but I'm sure there are many women who feel that way for the same reason. It's such a shame that some girls have to do that because of lack of paternal or familial support in a time of crisis which can be a blessing in disguise.
Callus Avatar
October 3, 2016 at 5:06 PM
I agree with your comments, Carole. There are many reasons why children are given up for adoption, yet it is such a pity when the reason is lack of support from family. Thank you for your feedback Carole. Regards // paul
Kalicharan Avatar
October 1, 2016 at 8:52 PM
Wow!! Another favorite for me! No wonder it's POTD! Congrats Paul.. Jenni
Callus Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 3:29 PM
Enchanted by your reaction to this poem, Jenni! Thank you! Both visit and congrats are much appreciated! Regards // paul
Y. Avatar
October 1, 2016 at 7:22 PM
Hi Paul, This is so sad. This a "regret" I wouldn't want to experience. Congratulations on getting the poem of the day. It was well deserved. Enjoy the honor:-) Alexis
Callus Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 3:27 PM
Thank you for coming back with more meaningful comments and congrats, Alexis...thank you:) Regards // paul
Mosia Avatar
October 1, 2016 at 5:31 PM
real and sad, beautiful piece
Callus Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 3:26 PM
Thank you, Matshidiso. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Regards // paul
Muideen Avatar
October 1, 2016 at 5:02 PM
What one's sow, one's reap. This is a very pleasant piece........A.M.
Callus Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 3:11 PM
Is that karma, Afolabi! Thank you for stopping by and commenting. Regards // paul
Yvonne Avatar
October 1, 2016 at 4:35 PM
What a beaut for poem of the day. See Paul I wasn't being generous just 'dead on' on how good this tanka is. I am so happy you got the recognition you deserve. You are such a talented poet.
Callus Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 3:10 PM
Thank you Armand! I get the same impression when I read your work, and you deserve recognition, too! Regards // paul
Hagy Avatar
October 1, 2016 at 3:45 PM
Very sad...we do have to live with our choices. Congrats on POTD:)
Callus Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 2:58 PM
You are right, Chris; choices are usually based on reasons! Thank you and regards // paul
De Beaulieu Avatar
October 1, 2016 at 3:08 PM
You did well for poem of the day.Way to go Paul.
Callus Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 2:55 PM
Thank you, Darlene:) Regards // paul
La France Avatar
October 1, 2016 at 1:57 PM
Paul, this is so sad, how many have given up their child to live forever in regret, excellent and congrats on potd \
Callus Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 2:50 PM
Thank you, Constance. Both comments and congrats are appreciated. Regards // paul
Marcum Wong Avatar
October 1, 2016 at 12:34 PM
This is a good one Paul and truly has consequences for some of great regret. It should do great in the contest. ; ) 7
Marcum Wong Avatar
October 3, 2016 at 2:41 AM
Yay ...you got POTD! Well, it is very deserving Paul! ; )
Callus Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 2:08 PM
Thank you for the comments and faith you showed in this poem, Connie. Unfortunately it made no impact in the contest, but p.o.t.d. more than makes up for it:) Regards // paul
Andresen Avatar
October 1, 2016 at 11:59 AM
- Congratulations on your p.o.t.d., Paul - Well done in few words - Lovely weekend :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Callus Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 2:06 PM
Many thanks, Anne-Lise:) I hope that like mine, yours has been a lovely weekend:) Hugs // paul
Haight Avatar
October 1, 2016 at 8:23 AM
Such a sad tale regret and a whole lifetime of lament in so few words, Paul Congratulations on your being honored as Poem of the Day. Sandra
Callus Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 1:44 PM
Thank you for the feedback and congrats, Sandra. Regards // paul
Smith Avatar
October 1, 2016 at 7:54 AM
Many congratulations to you on POTD
Callus Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 1:20 PM
Hi Tim; so kind of you to come back with congrats...thank you! Regards // paul
Smith Avatar
October 1, 2016 at 7:52 AM
Well done Paul, congratulations on POTD honors...
Callus Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 1:19 PM
Thank you, Charlie. Regards // paul
Krampe Avatar
October 1, 2016 at 5:24 AM
Congrats on POTD, Paul. Very sad and very well expressed in such a short form. Agnes
Callus Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 1:12 PM
Thank you for the visit and congrats, Agnes. Regards // paul
Allison Avatar
October 1, 2016 at 3:35 AM
Many congrats on POTD Paul:-) hugs Jan xx
Callus Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 10:06 AM
A repeat visit from you, too, Jan...thank you! Hugs // paul
Vaso Avatar
October 1, 2016 at 1:04 AM
So sad, You say so much in only a few lines!
Callus Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 7:20 AM
Thank you, Arthur. Hope you're keeping well, my friend! Regards // paul
12
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace