Have you ever had an argument with someone you care about? Has it ever developed into a situation where something you say ends up causing the other person to cry?

I can say yes to both. More times than I’d like to remember. Whether or not it’s my fault, no matter who may be right or wrong, It’s the kind of thing makes me feel bad. But I don’t know that I want to feel differently in those situations.

I know people who seem capable of hurting others without feeling anything at all. Maybe it’s an act. Maybe I don’t even show my empathetic feelings as much as I think I do. Whatever the case, I don’t know how you could care about someone and not flinch at least a little when you see the tears come into their eyes.

I could never be
as broken as the moment
you begin to weep

for most transgressions
no amount of hand-wringing
could ever atone

Comments

• July 31, 2009, mikaelah writes: isn't this the truth! lovely.
• August 1, 2009, howard writes: and don't we all fall into this habit from time to time?
  
  i think this one was already rattling in my head for a while, but while i was watching news coverage and commentary on the Prof Gates arrest and its ensuing analysis, it started to take a more solid form. with people in situations like that being goaded into apologies, as if a forced apology even has meaning, it seemed to me that righting a wrong has inherently more meaning than any amount of apology or idle regret.

Speaking of mistakes, one of the things I’ve noticed about writing haiku on napkins (as I have with this one) is that the soft, less slick surface of a napkin actually makes it easier for me to not make mistakes. Perhaps it’s because I have a tendency to gather steam as I write, which leaves me prone to miscues. Which is probably also a part of the reason why I prefer fountain pen to roller ball.

All of which has nothing to do with the point of the haiku itself.

so many mistakes
there is no time to correct,
only to forgive

Comments

• May 25, 2009, howard writes: This one's sort of linked to yesterday's semi-apologetic couplet.
• May 26, 2009, PJ writes: I think both of them are great, like two different angles on personal regret.
• May 26, 2009, howard writes: Thanks, PJ. That's how they were intended, sort of.

Dick, George, Alberto,
Donald and Condoleeza -
- a few bad apples

Comments

• April 23, 2009, PJ writes: As a military wife, it galls me that those in power would lay the blame on enlisted men and women when they knew the orders come from the top. Not just bad apples, but the worst apples.
• April 23, 2009, howard writes: It galls me too (hence the haiku), though I guess with your military connection, it hits even closer to home.

image: Denise Gould

Comments

• September 14, 2008, TheJennTaFur writes: Thank you for sharing. I briefly worked with Firethorn Productions in New York City and I was able to convince the Charlie Rose show and ABC Monday Night Football to air footage that we had on the Towers of Light. Our company edited the film video given to us. Although I am no longer in film, I still try to share stories of many whose lives should not be forgotten. Thank you! http://rimmasch.com/film/towers_of_light/index.php I have not seen this forever but this was the film.
• September 14, 2008, howard writes: I believe I may have seen that on tv. It's great stuff.
  
  Thanks so much for chiming in on this.