The Madness of Love

I Gladly Apologize First

Prompt for the Writer’s Cramp: Write a FREE VERSE (non-rhyming) POEM of no more than 40 lines, to this prompt:

The dictionary says an apology can be an acknowledgment of regret, or asking pardon for a fault or omission. We often make apologies for things we've done, or not done, perhaps more often should.

Write a poem which is, in some way, an apology as defined above. Take the voice of the apologist, the one making the apology.


I couldn’t help myself. I had fun with this. Thanks for the opportunity for some wicked humor, SophY!

I Gladly Apologize First

Our minister said the one in error is often far too upset,
Wrapped in his guilt or anger like a hot dog in his bun,
The guilty one can find no words to apologize, as he should.
So, I have no problem, my dear, I confess; I’ll claim it as my fault.

The anger writhed me in its bosom, rocking volcanically.
I erupted then and spit my words like fireballs into the air.
They plummeted, scorching your skin. I saw you wince.
That etched me, too, inside. I’m sorry for the pain I gave.

We were like two bantam-red roosters, you and I,
Yet, what silliness brought our beaks to sharpen
And to pluck at the feathers of each other’s pride.
Yes, I have no problem. I’ll gladly be the first contrite.

I remember how our verbal fists were bared and knuckled-hard.
Our words were roughened planks of splinters and spiky nails,
As if each word had sprouted life and was rooted to our darkness.
But although you're mistaken, my dear, I still will first apologize.

Our minister said that the one in error is often far too upset
To purge the bile and wash his mouth of all the guilt-filled venom.
So I will be the first to plea your pardon, my sweet dear.
For I'm positive you still possess the vicious heat of being wrong.


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