Daily Archives: 19 March 2015

I’m Sorry That Happened

Confusion.
Confusion and hurt reigned
As his words echoed back;
Altered in content,
In timbre, changed.

“No, he just said,
‘I’m sorry that happened to you'”
A higher pitched voice
Had exclaimed.

The gist was the same, the gestures were not.
The deltas puzzled him;
He thought
He was being mocked.

Puzzling, sorrowing;
Sorrowing, puzzling,
He made his way
To his destination.

Along the way a realization hit:
The differences came
Not from mocking tongue,
Nor from unfriendly desires;

A reflection
Of the differences in
Hopes and expectations
Of the direction
Of the conversation.

Soon only the echo remained,
And he wished his could have been the same.

©2015 H.K. Longmore

Altered Path

At the crossing paths,
To help with another’s task
I’m politely asked.

Planned words left unheard,
I answered yes and turned left,
Compliment unsaid.

©2015 H.K. Longmore

Handle With Care

Balanced carefully in her hands,
Every step fraught with danger,
A cup of hot beverage controls her focus;
Undulating fluid level influences her gait.

Taking great care not to alarm,
I walk slowly behind
For my path the same way lies.
Useless is my effort to go slower; I patiently wait.

Laughing at myself, wanting to greet
Hello or happy three-quarters birthday,
And yet saying nothing:
I don’t want to startle her,
Resulting in her being badly burned on this date.

© 2015 H.K. Longmore