Regrets of Kindness
Regrets
Off the top of my head
Someone once said
you don’t regret
being kind
But I kind
of do
(It’s the closest I can get to
regretting you)
I think my
anger
is a sign
here
of this regret of mine
Do you wonder
how
I could regret
being kind?
I think maybe
kindness is overrated
simply stated
it got me nothing in return
I also regret
understanding
empathizing
rationalizing
So
with no explanation
and in no particular order
I give you
a few
of
my
regrets
as I see them today
I regret
not throwing things
out of windows
out of cars
out of proportion
I regret
keeping identities quiet
not
singing them loud for all to hear
on a
stage
I regret
making
things
like excuses
time
and dinner
I regret
listening
listening
listening
listening
I regret
no 5150 no 302
I could have petitioned
I should have insisted
instead, again, I excused
We are meant to
learn from our past
regrets
no repeats
So please
from now on
expect me
to only be
kind
of a bitch
On a Thought 
Okay! I kind of love this and totally get it. Theres a saying I often think about: “No act of kindness goes unpunished.” That has happened to me more often than I can remember. Also, the poem is stellar, and the ending is super clever.
Thank you so much for this lovely comment… and the understanding. 🙂
You had me from the get go – this is a vibrant, cleansing, wonderful poem. Poetic revenge, I think! These lines had me chuckling –
you don’t regret
being kind
But I kind
of do
I want these on a t-shirt. I hope this was a cathartic release for you.
Oh, it was so needed today. I can’t even say. So needed. Yes. I write for revenge sometimes. Agreed — that would be good on a t-shirt! Thanks for reading and commenting!
I love this poem so much. I love the play on words that you do throughout this slice. As someone who sometimes writes about hard feelings-anger, sadness, etc. I appreciate that you shared this with us!
Thank you so much! Sometimes you just need to write. 🙂
I loved this. The rhythm, the mood, everything. It kind of reminded me of a Taylor Swift song, which is a compliment!
That is an awesome compliment. Not just because I was looking for a quote today and found one of hers in the list, “If guys don’t want me to write bad songs about them, they shouldn’t do bad things.”
Glad you see it as a compliment 🙂 You never know, lol. But yeah, I could almost hear it as a song as I read it. And it definitely has the edge of some of her songs. Great job!
Oh my gosh! I’m glad I opened your blog! I absolutely agree with you! I laughed all the way through! Thank you I needed this today!
Yes, oh yes. I am standing in solidarity. Being kind can give the effect of excuse or forgiveness, so that last line? Yeah, it rocks. I feel you.
I am a big proponent of kindness. But I’m also a big proponent of women and equality. Which means not using kindness as a flimsy cover for oppression, discrimination, and manipulation. Standing up for oneself should not mean being labeled as unkind. Stand up. Be angry. Shout. Get it out. Be kind to yourself and reclaim your soul. Loved reading your blog, not the pain so much, but expressed it well.
Poetry is such a great vehicle for releasing frustration, anger, and BIG feelings. Sounds like you needed to write this poem today!!
From one Nice Person to another Nice Person: YES!
That sound you hear is my chair clattering to the floor as I leap up, hooting and hollering, ready to offer a rowdy standing ovation.
There are people in my life I will never tire of being kind to. And there are people in my life who, I’ve found, I have. Perhaps it’s a result of turning fifty and realizing that life is too short to suffer fools?
I also want to say that I love the way you played with line breaks. I could hear your voice in my ear as your poem gave an explanation that stopped well short of an apology – which. I. LOVED.