I’m sorry that I tried to help.
I didn’t mean to make a mess.
I’m sorry that I spilled my juice
Right on your favorite purple dress.
I’m sorry I’m not good enough
And always make the same mistakes.
I’m sorry I don’t understand
Your sacrifice and what it takes.
I’m sorry that you cry all night
And always look so sad and worn,
But most of all, I’m sorry that
You wish that I was never born.
2019 ยฉ Sonya Annita Song
Guilt is a burden children should not have to bear for sins they did not commit.
My grandfather favorite phrase was “Never say your Sorry, always say you apologize, because God does not create sorry people”
What a wonderful thing to teach children. ๐๐ธ
He was amazing ๐
Wow! What a lovely way to teach a child.
Exactly, that is a saying I was taught as well.
Your grandfarherโs a very wise man!
Awe so sad
Yeah, I almost didn’t post it because it was sad.
Can you change anything?
Hmm, I probably could, but I don’t know how without altering the message. The message in my poem is how sensitive children are to the moods and criticisms of their parents and how careful we have to be with the way we speak to them.
yes I understand.
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I think it would be wrong to try to change the poem. Editing it would be to subtract its power and to take away the voice of children and adults that already know the silencing power of misplaced guilt. It’s a great poem as it is. Poems don’t have to make you happy, it’s just good if they make you feel or think or both.
Very true and well said, Antonia. ๐
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Dad little song for any child to be singing.
I believe children internalize guilt and blame very easily, resulting in a sad little song like this.
Sonya, this is wonderfully musical and emotional!!
I’m glad you think so! ๐ธ
The last line is making me restless. What words. What thoughts. Love โค๏ธ
Thank you for your lovely words. ๐ธ๐
My absolute pleasure
We try so hard to understand and to help. This poem certainly expresses the way I have felt many times.
It’s hard to be a parent, but it can be hard to be a child too. ๐ฆ
My other Friend just shared your Fathe Book on FB. Giving it a RAVE review !!
Wow! I’m thrilled she liked it! Most importantly, I’m guessing the child liked it?
She hasn’t bought yet I don’t think. But she liked it. and she liked your page on FB. She sent out a link to My Father’s a Teacher recommending the book. Carole has also liked your FB page.
That’s very nice of them! You have very kind friends. ๐
Yes but they wouldn’t if they didn’t like what they see. One’s a writer and both grandmothers. Both have “Liked” your page. Take a look.
That’s very cool! I am very grateful. ๐๐๐ธ
No problem at all. I was glad to help out a bit and if it makes them happy all the better. WIN! WIN! ๐โค๐ธ
I love win-win situations! Yay! ๐๐น๐
Me too. WE’ll wait and see. โค๐
Man, I donโt know your story, but it hurts my heart that any child should have to go through feelings like this. No one can fix someone else. Love to you.
This isn’t my story so much as what I imagine to be true for many children. I am writing on behalf of all those voices that do not yet know how to express themselves.
Thank you for that, then. It definitely resonated with my own experiences
It hurts to know that others have experienced these things, but I have faith that those who have experienced them will, hopefully, not be perpetuating these feelings of guilt.
Can’t press “like.”
I understand. As long as you understand the intention.
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Wow, powerful and sad. written so well. ๐๐
Thank you very much! I’m glad you think it was written well. ๐
Writing thoughts and in a musical manner link us more towards your thought.You really inspired me.Just have a look at my After that poetry and give your suggestions or reviews
I wrote something on your post. Your poem was true to the name of your blog, “Poetry Echo.” ๐
Thanks๐๐
It stinks when people make you feel that way.
Yes, no one should have the power to make you feel so guilty that you are always apologizing for things you shouldn’t be apologizing for.
Very powerful writing. Thank you for sharing.
And thank you kindly for reading.
Every child should be a wanted child.
I agree. Every child should feel like they are wanted. ๐
Very powerful (reowrful?) and May need to be read. Sometimes we get so caught up in our struggles we forget to care for the ones we brought into the world.
I absolutely agree. Thank you for your insightful comment! ๐
Great reminder to be very cautious of what we say and how we say things. We may be hurting someone deeply without even realizing it. Thank you! โค๏ธ
And thank you reading with an open heart. ๐ธ๐
It looks like we were on the same page yesterday. I’m sorry it hurts.
It hurts to see others in pain, I know. Thank you for your compassionate words. ๐ธ๐
Oh this made me so sad. Parents do not know what guilt they can put on a child or understand the lasting effects ๐ข
I’m sorry it made you so sad. I just hope it will help those who don’t know to realize how vulnerable children are to negativity.
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I feel even more sorry for parents who make their children feel like a burden instead of nurturing their growth. Powerful poem, Sonya.
I understand what you mean, although I have a harder time sympathizing with the parents. You have a very big heart. ๐
I understand where you are coming from too. Thank you ๐
This is…. Too raw. It starts out in such a deceptively innocent way and then stabs you in the heart by the time you’re done. So, so brilliant a piece, Cubby. Unexpected and brilliant. ๐ค
I’m glad you thought so. I just hope I didn’t upset too many people with it.
To that I’d say, “So what if it did?” ๐ Think of how Sylvia Plath must have felt while writing ‘Daddy’ which many believe reflects her own complicated relationship with the male figures, both her “bastard” father and her “vampire” husband, in her life. It’s one the most raw pieces of creativity I have read. Do you think Plath would have made changes to appease her readers’ sensitivities? Anyway, that’s just a thought. I, for one, loved this piece. It’s one of the most wonderful things I have read in a while and that’s not just a compliment for the sake of complimenting. It’s powerful. So thank you for writing it.
I completely understand and agree with what you are saying on an intellectual level. It is difficult to practice emotionally for me, however. Your words are comforting though, and I will try to remember them when I struggle with my conscious about posting a sad piece. Thank you so much for your words of insight and wisdom. ๐๐ธ๐
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๐ฆ Like minded.
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Powerful truth. Thanks for helping us put ourselves in the shoes of others. Thanks for sharing.
And thank you for reading with an open mind.
I felt sad and pain with your poem. ๐ฆ I’m so sorry your hurt.
I hurt for others, not for myself. Thank you for your sympathetic words.
Bless you my friend.
A very painful write. I wish such things were not the reality for a lot of children, but it does make me grateful for my good upbringing. I never understood how anyone could treat a child that way.
Pain begets pain. A cycle that can be difficult to stop without insight or guidance.
Heartbreaking and powerful.
Thank you for writing this.
And thank you for reading with compassion.
You’re welcome.
I havenโt read any of the comments but want to tell you I understand. I was told many times I was a mistake and never should have been born. We cannot help that our parents get caught in their sickness and lose sight of their children. It should never have been said but now I can say those words no longer effect me. Maybe thatโs not 100 % accurate but I forgave all along the way because I understood something was wrong. The key is to find your inner strength and move towards positivity. Blessings to you
I hope everyone with this experience can find their inner strength like you have to be lifted on the wings of positivity instead of letting it drag them down into the mire of negativity. Thank you so much for your insight and wisdom.
Sadly, I relate…. Lovely poem, and good message, too.
Ah what a horrible thing to relate to. I hope you were able to overcome the negativity of your childhood.
This is a sad and poignant one. People often forget or don’t realize how sensitive children can be and much little things can affect them. Kids soak up everything and often carry it through life. You captured that well.
Children pick up the negative things 10 times more easily than the positive things. Thank you for understanding the message I was trying to convey. ๐
I don’t think that’s necessarily true. The negative things have the potential to be more traumatic, have more of an affect, and are more likely to be burned in, scared, into the fabric of one’s being. It’s easier to look at the bad things and say, “That’s why I’m messed up.” Kids know the good, too. They can sense love and affection and happiness. That’s probably what you meant, and I just had to dig into it for no reason.
Hehe I know kids can definitely sense all the positive things, but like you wrote, “The negative things….are more likely to be burned…into the fabric of one’s being.” It also depends on the child’s temperament, of course. Some children are much more sensitive while others seem to have a natural resilience to negative things.
Why are you laughing at me? My unnecessary analysis?
It’s definitely true that temperament plays a large role. That’s why I don’t put too much stock in the nature vs. nurture argument. It’s both. We have a fundamental foundation, nature, and our experiences shape who we become, nurture.
What did you do that. That was my 25th favourite purple dress.
Sniff, sorry. ๐ฆ
It’s okay. Now please be careful with my yellow dress.๐
I thought it was purple. ๐
That you have already ruined. Now yellow dress is left.
Lol
It was beautiful throughout, but the last line had me. ๐
Aww I’m sorry it left you feeling like that. ๐ฆ
This is SO Good, and hard-hitting…I’m clamping my teeth together lest I burst into a crying jag I can’t afford…I was clearly an unwanted child, nothing about me was ever going to be right…the scars, pain never go away.
Ah I am so sorry to hear that. What a horrible feeling to experience. Parents who make children feel unwanted should be forced to take intensive parenting courses, or just not have children. The pain may never go away, but you have grown so much stronger as a result of all your hardships. I believe suffering can make people stronger and wiser.
Thank you so much, Cubby. I really enjoyed doing your “laughter” prompt–just posted ๐
I’m glad you enjoyed doing it! I loved your response. It was beautiful. ๐
Thank you SO MUCH!!
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Very powerful, i’m so glad you are using your voice to bring awareness to topics sometimes people find uncomfortable or sad… after all poetry isn’t all love and flowers. It is supposed to make one FEEL!
Very true. Well said! ๐
Love this poem, it gets sadder with every read.
It is not an easy read, so thank you so much for reading.
Very true- Alas.