A Letter of Apology

Poetry in free verse

I am sorry
for the way sadness still lingers in your eyes
when everyone sees but a smile on your weathered face.

I am sorry
that your pillow was wet again last night.

I am sorry
because if I could explain how I feel
maybe you would be holding my hand right now
and not let another woman caress your neck with her lips
like I used to.

I am sorry
for the way your face crumples
when you look at yourself in the mirror
and see nothing but imperfections — stretch marks and scars
when instead you should have been seeing flawless beauty
had you looked through eyes that belonged to me.

I am sorry
for this is what should have been said that night
instead of careless anger
thrown around the house like broken crockery,
and hurtful words aimed at your heart
like freshly-sharpened knives.

I am sorry
for apologies don’t turn back time
and I am sorry because I don’t know who
I am writing this poem filled with apologies to —

Is it for the stranger with flames in his soul
or is it for me?

If you liked this piece of work, you might be interested in my book of poems — Stolen Reflections: Some Stories Are Told in Verse.