A Poem of Apology

Say You're Sorry: Write a Poem of Apology

Those of you who read my Interview with Joyce Sidman may remember that Joyce and I invited people to write poems of apology...just as Joyce did for her award-winning collection of poems This Is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness.

JOYCE SIDMAN

If you take up the challenge and write a poem of apology, please let me know by leaving a comment at this post or by emailing me your poem. I will write up a future post that includes all the poems of apology--or links to the poems--that people have written.

NOTE: You can read two poems of apology in my Interview with Joyce Sidman. One of the poems is from Joyce’s book; one is a poem that I wrote last year.

Here is another poem of apology that I wrote this morning:

My Excuse
By Elaine Magliaro

I am so sorry that I did not write
a poem of apology
for you.
My muse left town unexpectedly--
without a word of warning!
Now
I am no longer a master
of the lyrical line,
the poetic turn of phrase.
I can’t conduct my thoughts on paper,
can’t compose a simile that sings,
can’t write with rhythm or rhyme,
can’t alliterate,
can’t make a metaphor with meaning
AND music.

Please forgive me.
I have writer’s block.
I can’t seem to get past
the loss of my trusted inspiration.
I am bereaved,
bereft,
bothered,
and bewildered.
Please take pity on me
until my muse returns.

Prosaically yours,
Elaine