Regret Poems
Poems About Regret, Remorse and Sorrow
Regret can make us feel an unrelenting bitterness like no other emotion. While regret can help us to avoid repeating a mistake, if left uncontrolled it can wreak havoc on a person. Hours, days, or weeks spent feeling regret for a past mistake is usually counterproductive. It can impede us from moving on with our life and letting go of the past. So how can someone dealing with regret cope? Many find that reading and writing poems that deal with their feelings allows them to let go once and for all.
32 Poems about Letting Go Of Past Mistakes
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1. Words Unsaid
Poem Regretting Lost LoveRegretting the moments I took for granted,
Moments when I was eaten by pride and hatred.
What if I had told you what I feel?
Would it change my life's wheel?
I was so afraid to fall in love deeply,
For mending a broken heart will never be easy.
I have been rotting in that hell before,
And I don't want to be there anymore.
But why is my heart crying in pain?
Why do I feel that my life's turning so plain?
Should I have told you that I love you?
Should I have showed you that it's true?
They say some words are better left unsaid,
Emotions should be kept till they fade.
No, scratch all the cowardice and negativity,
Because saying what you feel is the real bravery.
So what if you won't love me back?
At least there will be no what if's in my mind.
But it's too late for me to realize this fact,
'Cause now you're gone and you'll never be mine.Latest Shared StoryI can relate. I also loved a man for a long time but even until now, he doesn't know. Maybe I was also scared of rejection but it is all in the past now. I can feel the emotions of the...
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2. "It Might Have Been"
We will be what we could be. Do not say,
"It might have been, had not or that, or this."
No fate can keep us from the chosen way;
He only might who is.
We will do what we could do. Do not dream
Chance leaves a hero, all uncrowned to grieve.
I hold, all men are greatly what they seem;
He does who could achieve.
We will climb where we could climb. Tell me not
Of adverse storms that kept thee from the height.
What eagle ever missed the peak he sought?
He always climbs who might.
I do not like the phrase, "It might have been!"
It lacks all force, and life's best truths perverts:
For I believe we have, and reach, and win,
Whatever our deserts. -
3. Regret
Raped While DrunkYou told me that you loved me
And would never break my heart
You said that it was fun
That it wouldn't hurt.
So I took the cup from your hands
And put it to my lips
I started to get dizzy
And felt your hands around my hips.
You led me up the stairs
And into a dark place
You laid me on the bed
And put your hands around my face.
You slipped of my shirt
And undid the button on my skirt
You put yourself on top of me
Then it started to hurt.
The only thing I heard
Was you laughing in my ear
Your hot breath in my face
And the stench of too much beer.
When you were finished
You rolled over on the bed
Put your arms around my waist
And kissed me on the head
Then you got up
And got something from the floor
I heard the break of plastic
Then you got on top of me once more.
This time it was louder
As the headboard hit the wall.
You were taking away my innocence
My hope, you took it all.
Finally you stopped
Got up and walked down stairs
You left me all alone
Crying, cold, and scared.
I don't remember everything
But that moment I'll never forget
When I took the first sip of beer
The thing I most regret.Latest Shared StoryI was raped, and he took my v-card. I was never the same. It broke me, and I'm still trying to repair.
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4. Another Day
Regret Not Spending More Time With Loved OneLife gets very busy.
Things get in the way.
Do I have time to visit?
I'll go another day.
There's no sense of urgency.
You think you still have time
To go again another day.
You tell yourself it's fine.
Until you realize you're too late.
Another day won't come.
The truth too hard to contemplate.
The past can't be undone.
Your heart, it aches for all the times
You never got to see
This person you loved so much,
But you were never free.
You'll never hear their voice again
Or look into their eyes.
People will say it's for the best
But to you it feels like a lie.
Your loved one is at peace now
With the ones they had lost.
You have to make peace somehow
With this devastating loss.
Stop thinking it will all be fine
Or that you don't have time today,
For all you know, you won't have time
To go another day.Latest Shared StoryI turned 67 this year and have been searching for old friends online. I went to college in a city 1500 miles away. It was probably the best time of my life. I have now looked for four friends...
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5. The Window
Poem Regretting No Relationship With MotherI look out the window and what do I see?
Except for a better version of me?
He did the right where I did the wrong
So, I'm the one that wrote this song
I'm here soaking up regret in the air
You died thinking I never did care
I wish I would've made the right choices
Now it's too late, but I hear the voices
Saying all I should've said
I never knew you would end up dead
If I could have one last moment with you
I would die to let you know I love you too
The three seconds it would have taken to make that call
To show how much I cared after all
So if you were here, what would you ask of me?
I just want to know what you would want me to be
If you were here would you be proud?
But now you're lost in the grim reaper's shroud
You were the one that taught me right
And you were the one who stole away in the middle of the night
Now I lay awake in bed
With thoughts of you in my head
Why didn't I say that four letter word?
If only you hadn't died before you heard
I was so wrong and now I see
You only wanted the best for me
So as I lay here seeing you now
I only wish I could tell you somehow
That even though the call you awaited never came
I did and do love you all the same
And now I only wish I could have seen the light
As I look out the window on this fateful nightLatest Shared StoryMy dad left me all alone and I never see him at all. People say that divorce is hard and they have no possible idea.
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6. Secrets
Regretting Cheatingdo your secrets rip and roar?
do they tear at you with open claws?
do your secrets dig down deep?
do the make you want to speak?
and also sometimes make you weep?
why'd I do it in the first place when I knew it was along?
I wonder how secrets can be kept for so long?
I wish I could just turn back time,
so that everything will all be fine.
I have never felt this love I feel,
I know that this time it's finally real.
I have been the lucky one,
he'll never know the rotten things I've done,
but what will happen if my secrets finally escape?
will I break down, or die in a lake?
even though now there in the past,
I wonder how long my secrets will last? -
7. If I Could Go Back
For every time that I broke down
There was a fake smile to cover the frown
I hid behind lies when things got tough
Forced myself to think it was enough
My tears were masked by the rain
Unseen by all, alone with my pain
Each night was a cover to hide my cries
To keep from showing all these lies
If I could go back, I'd change it all
Stop myself from starting to fall
Consumed by hatred, I lost all sight
I knew what was wrong but it felt so right
I couldn't live without the pain
Or the anger pulsing through my vein
Each truth a lie I learned to hold
While watching each one start to unfold
If I could go back, all that would change
These diamond lies wouldn't seem so strange
I'd undo my lies and make them true
Hold on tightly to all that I do
Forget the bad, and think of only each day
And what's to come, without dismay
I'd forget that I cried those tears
Remember only every one of my fears
I'd try to be everything that I lost
Before I fell, remember the cost
Hope for the best, and try to be
All that died when I lost me
I'd turn back time to redo all this
And relive the life I almost missed
Only if I could turn it back
I'd find everything that I started to lack
No longer would fake smiles appear
They'd be true with nothing to fear
It'd be as though it was a dream
That came one night to make it seem
As though this was really true
But now there's only one thing I must do
Go back in time and erase this pain
Wash it away on rivers of rain
All this could happen if I went back
And once again in my life, I'd be on the right track. -
8. Regrets In Growing Old
The hardest part of getting old,
Is dealing with regrets,
Accepting there's no going back.
One chance is all I get.
Facing dreams that I once had
That never did come true,
And knowing they can't be achieved
And there's nothing now to do.
Recalling choices that I made
That clearly changed my life.
Times when I retreated
When I should have stood to fight.
People that I pushed away
Who only meant me well.
While holding on to other ones
Who made my life a hell.
Devoting all my energy
To the work I did each day
While investing little in myself
As my own life slipped away.
Not working hard on friendships,
Or on a family of my own.
So that now in this last stage of life,
I find myself alone.
If I had to do it all again,
It wouldn't be the same.
I'd live my life more for myself.
My priorities would change.
I would reach back more to others
Who had tried to pull me close.
And cherish all those people,
Who had cared for me the most.
I would not accept hurt or abuse
But demand love and respect.
I'd nurture those parts of myself
That I tended to neglect.
I would hope to have at least one child,
Who I'd teach and guide through life.
Who would hopefully look up to me,
And treasure my advice.
I would still find time to do my work,
One thing of which I'm proud.
It was my years in social work
That were my most profound.
But as for all the time I lost,
And the things that I can't change.
I have to let it go for good
And focus on the time that now remains.
For there are no second chances.
This is the life I made.
But I pray that by my being here,
I've made a difference in some way.Latest Shared StoryI'm alone too, and it's mostly my own fault. I hate it, but it's trust. Grasping for youth at 54 is not how it should be.
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9. My Now Angel
Regret About Friend's SuicideThese words don't come easy,
but they are things that I must say.
See, I don't think I ever told you
that I wished you would stay...
I know it's not much use now,
and that's what hurts the most,
because without you down here,
my now angel, all of us are lost.
I'm sure I didn't say it enough,
the words "I love you," I mean,
and that's my biggest regret in life,
since now you're nowhere to be seen.
I really hope you hear my prayer,
as I beg for your forgiveness.
See, I never meant to cause you pain
and all that grief and sadness. -
10. Death, My Loyal Friend
Missing Out On Life While WaitingWhen I was born, I was dying for warmth,
And as I grew, I was dying again.
Dying for affection, for love.
I was dying simply for a friend.
Though I got all of these,
I was always dying for more.
Dying to get older,
Dying to escape life's pause.
I was dying to find someone,
Dying to settle down,
Dying to be happier,
To have someone to wrap around.
I continued dying every day
Until I hit 99 and grew weak.
I was dying to see my family,
Dying not to fade; this I began to seek.
And then I saw it in that light.
I was finally dying for something to give,
And I knew that I had been dying for so long
That I forgot how to live.Latest Shared StoryI like how this poem perfectly depicts how life is and how everyone is constantly wanting more and never truly happy with what they have. Social media has taken over the life of many and no...
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11. I Still Love You, You're My Big Brother
Reckless Driving PoemYou were always a risk taker,
Especially in the car; you liked to burn rubber.
My mates thought it was funny; it was cool
When you gave them a lift and played the fool.
Driving with no hands, hanging out the sun roof,
Shutting your eyes and generally being a goof,
Thinking you were some Evel Knievel.
Did you know you'd cause this upheaval?
You raced 'round the area, flying over speed hills.
Didn't you realize that sort of drivin' kills?
Gemma and Chloe, they screamed with excitement.
You forgot we were the kids; you were the adult.
We banged our heads on the car roof,
And laughed ourselves silly, the truth?
Every time we got in the car with you,
We risked our lives; sounds bad, but it's true.
One day, August 7th, you were drivin' me home from Judo.
Did your usual stunts then crashed into a Peugeot,
Killing a 17-year-old woman, Abigail Davis.
We escaped with nothing but bruises.
How is that fair?
Police came 'round, nicked you for a drivin' offence.
The prosecution stacked, no defense,
A 32 month jail sentence.
I'll try to visit you inside.
I am angry and sad that I can't hide.
It's all your fault; you can't excuse it.
You were the one that revved it.
I know you're punishing yourself, having trouble sleeping.
I told you and told you to stop your reckless driving.
This was the only way you'd learn, you'd never hear sense,
But it's too late for "if only;" this story's past tense.
Latest Shared StoryMy father invited me and someone else to take a ride with him. My mother told us no because my father was drinking beer. My mother asked if we wanted to die, and we said no.
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12. Regret
Dealing With Regrets After Mom DiedI know
This day will soon happen.
I know
God will take you away.
Twelve years
Of living
Are too lucky
For any cancer victim.
But for you,
It's never been too lucky.
Early rainy morning
Drip,
Drip,
Drip.
Tiny water droplets
Fighting against my windows.
Clouds were cotton candy
Covering the blue sky
You laid there...
As still as a tree.
Your skin was as pale
As snow,
And your body was as cold
As ice.
Winds were howling,
Through the front door.
And
Swept
All
My
Tears
Away.
I smiled to my heart
And reminded it
To be strong.
But I was wrong.
My mind was flooded
With all my faults.
I regret when I shouted at you.
I regret when I was mad at you for pathetic reasons.
I regret when I refused to listen to your advice.
Why didn't I treat you better?
And I realized,
How dumb I was to upset you,
When all you ever wanted to do
Was help me achieve the best things.
But
It's
Too
Late for me to
Fix
My
Faults.
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13. Brain Dead
Pain From The PastThe memories keep flooding back,
But not one by one.
It's never that easy.
Each of them, chained up,
A mosaic of brokenness,
Squeezing through my mind.
Their sharp, crooked edges
Scraping against the walls of my brain.
Each one, different in shape,
But familiar in pain.
They scratch against my innocence,
Scarred.
Something that can never be taken back.
Never to heal.
And when a shred of light or happiness
Begins to dance through my brain,
It cannot help but notice the scars around each corner,
Waiting,
Grinning,
A constant reminder,
An annoying linger and itch.
Never to go away. -
14. A Lonely Soul
I am just a lonely soul
Can anyone hear me?
Is anyone out there?
I have nowhere else to go
Escaping from all the misery
And from all the trouble that had been caused
I feel as if my life just took a sudden pause
Regretting for my regrets
Feeling that I may just don't belong
Feeling that the path I made was wrong
I ask God to forgive me for all my sins
And all the ways that I have been
Just look it from the way I see
So I am talking for anyone out there
Can anyone hear me?Latest Shared StoryI know how you feel I feel the same all the time, because I feel like no one can hear or even cares to hear my voice, but I pull though so can you. You can do it.
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15. I'll Never Forget
CPS Taking My Children AwayI can't tell you how much my heart hurts every day.
It's full of anger, pain, and regrets that I can't make go away.
I'll never forget the day they took you away.
The look on your face, too much to embrace.
I keep going back to that horrible day.
If only there was something I could do to make it all go away.
I hope you know not a day goes by that I don't think of you.
I pray that you're okay with each passing day.
I'd give anything to tell you one more time that
I love you more than all the stars in the sky. -
16. New Year's Eve
Poem About Drunk DrivingMy weeping mother sent me a letter.
She begged God for me to get better.
Her tears smudged the ink
As her fears turned into reality in a blink.
People warned me not to go,
But I thought we'd be fine as long as we went slow.
Every morning I wake up regretting
The pain I caused on those who try forgetting.
I'd never imagine I'd be in this cell.
I wish I had gone straight to hell.
She didn't deserve to die.
Now her mother and father always cry.
In the dark they try and find their way,
But their light has been taken away. -
17. A Prayer Unanswered
Waking I find
Another chill encrusted day
Awaits me
Where I shall walk alone in step of time
To the blighted rhythm
Of what must be
And the looming shadows
Of what might have been
My only solace
Comes of looking back
Upon the horizon of
Memories past
Where the fluxing tapestry
Of life and chance
Carried you soft and safe
Into my arms
And I held you
And you held me
And for a time
No wind of change
Could bear us sway
But somehow...
Some dreadful way how
My eyes left the beauty of yours
My arms reached out
For ambitions of pointless return
And in deafened silence
You slipped from me
For I held you not
And now I am left to search
Across the rolling linen waves
Of life and consequence
Holding hope that
Fate will grant me pardon
And bring you to me
Once again
But I age in waiting
I tire of hoping
I stammer in broken steps
For each night your vigil kept
Brings me aside my bed
To utter yet again
A prayer unanswered -
18. I Love You Both
A Second Chance To Be Your Mumeveryday it's hard to let you go,
soon they will be taking my heart out and stamping on it.
I failed at being you mum cause the drugs made me resent you
now I'm clean my heart aches for you.
I feel like I'm gonna hit rock bottom again
scared I'm not gonna hold you tight like you're my babies
I should of done a lot more for you both.
I'm gonna lose my life,
what for cause the drugs wanted to take control of me.
I don't want to say bye,
I want to be a mother to you both cause you're mine.
Your were made out of love and I love you more and more everyday.
I don't want you to forget who I am please,
I love you just want a second chance to be your mum again that's all.Latest Shared StoryWow. this made me cry. I too have lost my boys temperately, minus the drugs I know exactly how you feel. Its the worst feeling in the world! I hope all is well with you. I'm sending love and...
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19. Alone In My Head
Poem About Feeling Regret and GuiltAlone in my head,
I'm feeling so low,
You wont understand,
No one can know.
My eyes are so tired,
I can't sleep at night,
Your face haunts my dreams,
When I turn out the light.
It happened so suddenly,
It happened so fast,
I knew all at once,
That none of this would last.
Was I just a game?
Was this all just for fun?
Did my feelings matter,
To anyone?
"This didn't mean anything",
That's what you said,
As I was so shamefully,
Getting up from your bed.
I held my head high,
As I walked by your side,
Tears welling up,
I was dying inside.
Weeks have passed,
Keeping secrets, telling lies,
I don't have the strength,
To look either of them in the eyes.
My heart has been broken,
Not once, but twice,
Once by my best friend,
Once by the love of my life.
Deep down inside,
I know it's my fault,
So I'm just going to lock it,
Away in my vault.
Sometimes I still think of you,
When I'm lying in bed,
Still all alone,
Inside of my head.Latest Shared StoryBeautiful poem! I loved the way it's presented with hints of unspoken events.
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20. Our Past We Shared
Many nights I drowned myself in tears, because you caused my family so much pain over the years.
My sister you mentally and physically abused, and my brother you unfairly used.
He was forced to be a father, because you didn't want to bother.
My Mother you lived off her, things would have been better without you in the picture.
You were there and still are, and you are still causing us all emotional harm.
It is time for us all to grow and change, because what good will it do to remain the same?
I'm willing to forgive you and leave the past behind, because a better life is what I'm trying to find.
Will you change with me, or stay stuck in the past like a deeply rooted tree?
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