The Little Sparrow

(INSPIRED IN PART BY A SONG BY THE GREAT FRENCH 'SOUL SINGER', EDITH PIAF)


Should we praise the chanteuse
who sang "I regret nothing"?
Was she a saint or a sociopath? 
Did she forget the peccadilloes,
the slights, the insults and harsh 
words we are so prone to?

I regret so much, so very, very much:
the chanced shaking of another's heart, 
the deafness to her tears, the blindness 
to her unsung lamentations-- 
too much a coward to love,
I would run, run away, 
even jumping an ocean to flee
what was between her and me....

Now, aging, I regret I cannot make 
amends to those lost loves.
I cannot say, "I am sorry, I was weak, 
in fear of your love--
forgive me... forgive me."
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Devonshire Avatar
December 16, 2018 at 2:14 PM
Just the fact that you acknowledge those feelings of remorse now seems to be what matters most. We can't undo our wrongs, but we can take what we learned and improve in the future. A beautiful and touching poem, L.J. Congratulations on your win in Brian's contest! Best wishes, Carolyn
Carber Avatar
December 17, 2018 at 7:40 AM
Thanks Carolyn-- and if you love great singers with remarkable voices, like Elvis, Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, check out Piaf.
Ashley Avatar
July 30, 2017 at 8:27 PM
Hi L.J. congrats on your win with this very tender, touching poem... :)
Barden Avatar
July 30, 2017 at 12:53 AM
So touching, melancholy and poignant, LJ, and I loved everything about this - congrats on FOURTH PLACE! :-)
Carber Avatar
July 30, 2017 at 12:39 PM
Thank you, Greg, I'm glad you liked it.
Scars Avatar
October 18, 2016 at 7:27 AM
lovely poem Len...congrats on your placement :)-luloo
Carber Avatar
October 18, 2016 at 9:03 AM
Thank you, Laura!
Wigley Avatar
October 18, 2016 at 12:16 AM
Well done, Len, a fine piece. Regards, Viv
Carber Avatar
October 18, 2016 at 9:03 AM
Thanks Viv!
A   Avatar
February 26, 2016 at 12:00 PM
Hi Len, where would I find that comment you mentioned on my comment. LINDA
Carber Avatar
February 27, 2016 at 9:26 AM
I posted the comment 2/24 after I got a few congrats--I would urge all souls to EDITH PIAF:her life was full of pain and courage--her masterwork is 'Je'ne regrette rien' -- I regret nothing. Her singing is truly thrilling-- let me know if you like it.
Gentry Avatar
February 25, 2016 at 10:52 PM
Congratulations on your win!
Carber Avatar
February 24, 2016 at 10:32 AM
Thank you all! And I would encourage you, if you've never heard Edith Piaf sing, to listen to her. She has the singular ability to wrench your heart while piercing your soul. I get the same 'rush' now as I did when I first heard her in college almost half a century ago.
A. Sharma Avatar
February 24, 2016 at 4:17 AM
Wow a lovely poem Ien.. no wonder a great win.. big congrats!
Carber Avatar
February 24, 2016 at 10:34 AM
thanks Doc! and please see the comment I added about Piaf's otherworldly singing.
A   Avatar
February 23, 2016 at 5:39 PM
Len, Congratulations on your awesome win. Love LINDA
Carber Avatar
February 24, 2016 at 10:37 AM
Gracias, Linda! and please check out my comment about Piaf's singing-- I find it to be one of those small miracles that make life so wondrous at times.
Ninja Avatar
February 23, 2016 at 11:21 AM
Thank you for entering my contest len it was an honor reading:)
Carber Avatar
February 24, 2016 at 10:38 AM
Than you, Royal T-- and please see the comment I added about Piaf's incredible singing.
A. Sharma Avatar
September 28, 2015 at 12:45 AM
Congrats on ur superb win with this awesome write Ien!
Dietrich Avatar
September 27, 2015 at 8:58 PM
very nice one. Congrats for win this time.
Y. Avatar
September 27, 2015 at 9:44 AM
Ien, congratulations on your win:-)Alexis
A   Avatar
July 10, 2015 at 1:47 AM
LEN, CONGRATS ON YOUR ANY POEM WIN..... ALWAYS & FOREVER ~~LINDA~~
A  Avatar
July 7, 2015 at 3:54 PM
Len, thank you for supporting "my ANY POEM contest #7." Have a nice day. Love **SKAT**
Guzzi Avatar
February 28, 2015 at 7:26 PM
An excellent write - we all all too late smart. Light & Love
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