I never liked the smell of lilacs although they were always <br />your favorite flower. <br />When did you stop bringing them home? I never noticed, <br />Wish I had. <br />I always thought walking through pine-scented woods was such <br />a bore, kicking leaves, how foolish I thought, and didn't <br />hesitate to tell you so...collect them for a fall bouquet, <br />hell no! <br />Wish I had. <br />How my memories haunt me now; I rejected your every whim...such <br />little things...you wanting to build a snowman, I complained, <br />'It's too cold for that', and how hurt you were when I wouldn't <br />wear that silly hat you bought for my birthday, from my favorite <br />store... <br />Wish I had. <br />I found an old letter today, stuffed deep in the pocket of your <br />old coat, the one I never liked, both smelling of lilacs. <br />The letter was penned in an unfamiliar hand...bits of crumbled <br />leaves fell as I unfolded the pages of this, your private world. <br />Some words were faded by time and splotches of tears...yours? ... <br />Hers'...no matter. Such gentle words, flowing sweet with love <br />like the music of a string quartet. <br />If only I had written those words that must have made you smile, <br />Mellowed your mood, touched your heart, but it's been so long <br />since I spoke to you of love. <br />Wish I had. <br />Sitting alone, lost in a turmoil of cluttered 'might have beens', <br />the ring of the phone startles me; it's you, expressing your regret, <br />you are going to be late again. <br />I wanted to ask you to bring lilacs home for the table I'd just <br />set, but I didn't...but oh God! I wish I had! <br />I was always too proud to cry until now. <br />I wish I had! <br />I wish I had!<br /><br />Dorothy (Alves) Holmes<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/regrets-21/
