I messed up.
Not once, not twice.
But over and over
in ways I didn’t even see
until you were gone.
I blamed the world
the stress
the illness
the weight
the timing
but I never looked long enough
at the man in the mirror.
I should’ve listened
when your silence got louder
should’ve reached for you
instead of retreating inside myself
and calling it survival.
You gave me grace
and I wasted it.
You asked for honesty
and I gave you fragments
because I was scared
you’d leave if you saw the whole mess.
I didn’t tell you I was hurting.
I didn’t tell you I was scared.
I didn’t tell you my body
was shutting down
before my heart ever did.
And when you needed strength,
I gave you absence.
When you needed warmth,
I gave you confusion.
When you needed a man,
you got a ghost.
I see that now.
So if you’re wondering
whether I ever loved you—
the answer is yes.
Still yes.
Always yes.
But love without action
without accountability
without presence
hurts more than hate.
And I did that to you.
I see it.
I own it.
And I’m sorry
from every place in me
that didn’t speak up when it mattered most.
I hope someday you feel peace
even if it’s not with me.
But if this poem finds you,
I hope you know
this man—
finally—
gets it.
-
Author:
Samuel (
Offline) - Published: July 26th, 2025 02:44
- Comment from author about the poem: I wrote this because you deserved more than apologies whispered into silence. You deserved a man who saw the damage before it was too late. This doesn’t ask for anything in return — It’s just the truth, finally unhidden. From the version of me that should’ve shown up sooner. Sam
- Category: Love
- Views: 8
- Users favorite of this poem: Demar Desu, Cheeky Missy, Poetic Licence
Offline)
Comments3
Respect
Sad and tragic it is too late that we discover that it is more than feelings that tell of love. A poem of regret nicely worded
That's a honest and respectful write, doing something so many people find so difficult, putting there hands and being honest, hat's off to you, nicely expressed and written
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