rue

a life lived without regret
i don't know how that's done
there's things i rue most every day
words left unsaid, songs left unsung
good deeds postponed, anger let rise,
a snarky tone, hasty replies

it's hard to know sometimes
the thing that's true and right
and what i feel at break of day
i may not feel that night
and though my crimes are never large
quite oft my guilt exceeds the charge

but lest you think i wallow here
my comfort lies in knowing this
i do my best to make things right
and others' plights not to dismiss
in empathy is solace found
for there we all have common ground