'Regret'
Do not speak words of me once I cannot hear…
Nor etch them in granite smooth
Words of love … of caring
For they do not echo beyond this existence
Love is for the living as death be cold … unyielding
Regret is for fools as only the wise truly comprehend
Time is elusive.. it cannot be clenched to man’s chest
Nor do moments meander as if a cool breeze in meadow green
They are indefinite.. indifferent to design or tomorrows
No gentle strum to guitar strings nor lyrics sweet
As only silence reigns for those beneath sod or ashes spread
© Copyright 2025 flowing pencil. All rights reserved.
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This is quite a somber piece, Patti. Not in a bad way, but more of a request to those who love. I could see this poem overleaf at a Remembrance Fire, or perhaps a Celebration of Life, both of which I have attended. Shamanists believe that departed friends and family meld with the World as a whole, and can be recalled at special times.
This would be a wonder tone-poem spoken around a tall fire with starry skies above. If I spoke Lakota better, I would try to translate this. I just know it would sound wonderful to the accompaniment of muted drumming.
~Tom
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Thanks Tom.. I just came back to see if the piece posted correctly this time. I need to practice on this site's formatting more!
The piece isn't meant to be a "downer" but a simple reminder to tell those you love.. how you feel. It is difficult at times for some to speak about their feelings and I respect that. I know my one son has a problem with saying "I love you mom." But I know he does. I do NOT want him to ever have regret he didn't express it more. The other son? Has NO problem saying those words. :D Nor my daughters.
Thanks for the quick response to this piece. I like the thought behind the "Shamanists" .. they are thoughts I've had many times.. We become one with the universe.. or at least I feel that is how it should be. :D
Patti
Oh my Lord…Patti
I just slid next to computer so I could write a note to a dear friend who is … tomorrow facing brain surgery, and as soon as possible radiation followed by chemo. Of course the surgery and radiation has to happen in Edmonton (but most of her family will be there throughout).
***********
Your words are just as my Sharon's would be. I will mention a few that are especially compelling.
'Regret'
"Do not speak words of me once I cannot hear...
Nor etch them in granite smooth"
*****
Love is for the living as death be unyielding
Regret is for fools as only the wise truly comprehend
*****
No gentle strum to guitar strings ~ nor lyrics
sweet
As only silence reigns for those beneath sod
or ashes spread
*****
Perfect timing Patti….perfect phrasing.
Irene
Author
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Thank you sweet friend. I was fearful the piece would come across as a "pity party" and it isn't meant to at all. We all have regrets. As Frank Sinatra .. sand.. "Regrets.. I had a few.. too few to mention." I wish I could say that but I do have a few.. :D Realizing one cannot change the past.. one can try not to repeat history. But alas! Man is fallible. :D
Happy the words touched you and my thoughts are with your friend. Scaring stuff ahead for her. BUT hope lives! Everyday more and more is being done in this fight against damn disease cancer! May I live long enough to see it defeated.
Patti
There reaches a point where we often are nearly consumed with regret. And, that's a good thing if not overdone.
Problem is. . when to let go? I like your words, as I always do, and feel the clarity and finality brought forth. Words, we all need to address. Some never do. A necessary step and good for the soul.
Congrats. . .BT
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Regret can be a "reminder" to make change. Sometimes our efforts are simply not received and we need to "let it go".. I think you know what I mean as have lived it. :( We cannot change others but we can look within and see where we might improved communication.
Thanks for reading BT.. I always love your feedback.
Patti
"...It cannot be clenched to man's [breast].
I mean, like dude, "breast" is so much more poetical-like than, ugh, chest, you know all hairy and stuff. That's my only dirty criticism.
Also, in keeping with the spirit of your poem, I am telling you now: you are a great fantastic poet, and many love your work, including me, the Erndaaaaaaaawg! So, you can take that to the grave knowing at the very least, you are tops in my book!
xoxoxo
Ernie
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:D ... I will give "breast" a thought. It also means "chest".. "heart".. etc.. though instead of "hairy" etc.. "hair and nipples come to mind! :D
Thanks for the love etc... I feel the same of you and many others on this site!.. :D
So many do not say what is in their hearts aloud so the person or persons they love.. do not get to hear them .. the guilt can be crushing if one does not forgive self and understand it is so very human. :D
I tend to start emotionally "cutting myself off" when I fear loss. Then later the hurt slams me to the ground and the "I wish I had" floods my soul.
We know who loves us and that is enough. Hearing the words is just an added song to one's ears and heart.
So many tributes to so many people who die way too young.. so sad the words do not echo beyond this plane.
Patti
Hey Patti, I see we have more flowing pencil to read. And how your pencil flows!
As always your words are powerful but their hopeless nature left me feeling a little sad. They are words of irreplaceable loss which I suppose we all face at one time or another. I certainly can relate, but I believe no loss is infinite, at least no loss of magnitude such as a spouse, child, or parent.
I don't know if all our words echo beyond this world, but I believe some of them do. I definitely agree that regret can canker our soul and steal life away.
"Only silence reigns for those beneath sod..." I pray it's peace rather than silence. Well done--Lance
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"Only silence reigns for those beneath sod and ashes spread"... my only thought on this line was that it is better to express love while one can. Death is the ultimate healer if one thinks on it. Therefore is that not peace? I think so. Especially for tormented souls. For those who know great suffering or bodies are simply worn out.
Not to be a "downer" this piece. Just a reminder to in some small way.. remind those you love how cherished they are.
I know I'm loved but hearing the words is as if a warm embrace. Especially when they come from a person who finds saying "I love you" extremely difficult. Or purposely cut themselves off to protect themselves.
Thanks for reading and responding to my effort. :D
Patti
I don't really have words after reading this one. Granite smooth - gravestone? Someone speaking at a grave. Love the contrast of meadow green with the grey and darkness otherwise. And a massive end, huge impact. I take away from this that we should rather love and let those we love know we do while we and they are still living. One of my favourites!
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Ah thanks A.J. :D Yes, "granite smooth" of course is a gravestone or monument of some sort. It was just a piece that the lines simply came one at a time and I captured them as quickly as I could. So many have told me I must sit every day and write.. I cannot do that.. the words have to simply "come" to me.
Yesterday I listened to an interview on a Seattle radio station that deals with music.. my son Brad was on. Brad has a difficult time expressing aloud the words.. "I love you." It is very difficult to even get him to talk. Perhaps "Selective Mutism" is the cause but after hearing him open up on the "radio".. I don't know. LOL.. He had the host laughing as Brad is very clever and outrageously funny. He also talked about how he doesn't sit down everyday and write lyrics. Many have told him he must and he simply said.. "No.. they have to come to me." I smiled ear to ear hearing those words. How alike the two of us are. How very different also. I've decided the only way to get him to talk is I will pretend I'm interviewing him.. LOL..
Thanks for reading and very happy you found it worthy.
Patti
"Doing life" is fraught with risks, troubles, and traumas, but DOING it... We've got so much time to do our part/s in making this world a tolerable place. We're going to err, saying the very wrong things, hurting others, getting ourselves hurt - the list goes on - but while we're above ground...we have an impetus to contribute, imo. It doesn't always give off strong signals, lol, but it's there.
I believe everyone has a "moral DNA" and that when we're not LIVING it, we suffer. And death is so sudden! I don't believe it's the End, but obviously once the heart stops, it's too late to say, I'm sorry, I love you, thank you, and so forth.
Peace,
Mike
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Thanks Mike.. I so appreciate you and your feedback as it involves thought and reflection on the words this writer and others put to the page. It also tells the writer that he/she is doing something of worth.
I like you believe ..most have some moral DNA though it might be argued as certain mental disorders involve a complete lack of conscience.
I hope there is more and at least a plane of consciousness but if not? I'm trying to come to peace with that. Wanting there to be more? Hmmmm.. is that an ego trip for man?
Peace to you also Mike
Patti
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B Douglas Slack