Return to Sender
Confessions and regrets of an enabler.
Speaking in tongues when it came to
speaking my truth,
lacked any coherent translation.
Each word, fumbled and flushed away
in a frivolous game of
think-and-don't-say...
***
Your entire life, a merry-go-round
of reckless fun and games...
You trampled over anything sporting
a sense of praise, and devoured
attention like the
famished ego you were.
But I said nothing...
I kept the words as a
consolation prize,
thinking deaf ears
are the epitome of wasting time...
I never told you the narcotics
you spent wasting the day
was your only God...
I never told you about
my hatred for the
separation of powers
that evolved...
I never once told you that
I feared the worst, that
self-annihilator was your
middle name.
I'm telling you now...
All those unemployed words
and the ones already
late for delivery
are my parting gift.
Enjoy wearing them
around your neck as a reminder
of how self-conduct
ruined a future...
***
Opportunities not taken
are like dead wishes,
lingering hopelessly in a
stagnant mind brimming
with regret...
My good intent was always present,
but the thought didn’t count
since the postage was never paid...
Was I afraid of bruising your ego?
Or did I lack skills to properly care?
None of that matters anymore...
I'm left with this to ponder:
Maybe
if I had moved my lips sooner,
you would have seen
how much you meant to me,
and chose life with me over that next,
love-altering fix...
About the Creator
Lamar Wiggins
Creative writer in the Northeast US who loves the paranormal, mystery, true crime, horror, humor, fantasy and poetry.
"Life is Love Experienced" -LW
LDubs
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More stories from Lamar Wiggins and writers in Poets and other communities.
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I met Jason when I was five years old. I could say that I loved him from the moment I saw him. He was so handsome to me and I felt in awe by his presence. When they introduced him as the new kid in school, I wanted to be his friend right away. I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember his smile and how he didn't seem shy. He appeared confident and ready to learn. I waved at him and said "hello," before anyone else could even say a word. He sat next to me, and I asked him if he wanted to be friends. He looked so happy as he said, "Yes!"
By Sidney Smith (Sid Smith)7 days ago in Fiction
Comments (16)
wow, lamar, what can i say that hasn't been said already? start to finish this one packed a punch. and bookending it like that? i mean, c'mon! from speaking in tongues to moving lips sooner...genius. thank you for sharing this ❤️
This poem unfolds in layers, each twist revealing another heartache, another truth left unsaid. Lamar, you translated such complex emotions into a quiet storm of irony and sorrow. This might be one of your most powerful pieces yet, Lamar.
This is POWERFUL and raw. I love it! “But the thought didn’t count since the postage was never paid…” that part gave me goosebumps. Very well done!
Damn, this was brutal and raw and so very compelling! I am in love with so many of your word choices and phrasings. What a fantastically penned piece :)
Powerful, insightful, heart-wrenching, a perfect expression of regret but also strength.
This... my friend is heat! 🔥It is thought-provoking, powerful, profound and action-inducing! I hope that this reaches Top Story status and that it places in the challenge as well! You knocked this one out of the park. It is up on the surface of Jupiter somewhere! lol Go L-Dub! 💪🏾🫶🏾🌸
Blessings.
Wow, Lamar, this is such a powerful poem. Such raw pain, anger, and heartbreak coming through in blazing color with each line. Can certainly tell this relationship was one that took quite a toll
So many heart wrenching and well written lines in this, the idea of the words we keep as a consolation prize hits hard
"thinking deaf ears are the epitome of wasting time..." "My good intent was always present, but the thought doesn't count if the postage was never paid." I especially loved those lines!
Wow. What a strong statement of thoughts unspoken that never come quick enough when the moment arrives. I feel like you have given me awareness that might be used in action. Like in a fire drill. Amazing and powerful poem
Well-wrought! Words rarely get through The Wall. We say them, we don't say them. Either way we're left to wonder if we did the right thing when the other won't. Bless you, sir.
Oh wow, Lamar, this was very powerful. I hope it wins you the challenge. It's a winner in my book already.
Beautifully penned, Lamar!! 🥹💙
This was written from the heart, and anyone who reads it will be forced to feel it. The rawness is so powerful.
Damn! If you had said these words things might have ended different or not at all. Beautiful poem!