I'm Sorry...

I'm sorry for all the times I lost my temper
For the times when I was rude
For all the gifts that were given
And never received thank-yous.

For all the love you've given me
And I haven't given back
For all the times you were patient
A virtue that I lack.

I'm sorry for all the people
To whom I was so cruel
To all the people I laughed at
I acted like a fool.

I couldn't see past your imperfections
I couldn't see past your pride
Your feelings I trampled all over
On my high horse I would ride.

I'm sorry for all the times I lied
For the people I hurt along the way
Not a day goes by that I don't regret it
And I'd take it back any day.

The only person I cared about
Was me and only me
And now I'm truly sorry
I only wish I could make you see.

I'm sorry for everything I've done
For all the people I let down
I'm only asking for a second chance
So I can turn things back around.

I know that it's a little late
My deeds can't be undone
I realize now that I was wrong
And I'm sorry everyone.

--Teal Henderson

Back To Top of Page

It's Just the Way We Are

We hold on to things the tightest,
when we are forced to let them go-
We always want things a certain way,
when we know they can't be so.

Dreams always last the longest,
when they are furthest from our reach-
And the lessons we can learn the most from,
are often the very ones we teach.

The grass is always the greenest,
when it lies on the other side-
And the truths we preach to others,
are often those we can't abide.

We hold fast to the things in a storm,
which are most likely to blow away-
And yet we neglect to wear sunscreen,
on a bright and sunny day.

We spend our time trying to see things,
when perspective is one thing we lack-
And we never appreciate what we've got,
until we can't get it back.

We expect the whole world to give us a break,
and yet ironically we'll find-
That when others come asking the same of us,
we tell them they're out of their mind.

We tell everyone what's wrong with this world,
and we do thing to make it right-
We complain about families falling apart,
and yet do nothing to keep them tight.

We preach about loving our neighbors,
and we teach children right from wrong-
But we never set good examples for them,
when real chances come along.

We complain about not having enough time in our lives,
to do what we must do-
Yet, if we were given more hours in the day,
we'd use up all that, too.

We desire to be close to all those we love,
yet all too often look on from afar-
And when it comes to the truth do we want to change,
or remain forever as we are?

--Kristy Glassen

Back To Top of Page

The Graduation Speech

Jesse was well liked by everyone, so everybody anticipated what he had to say
As he walked up to the microphone, on graduation day.
For a moment he remained silent, as he peered at the faces from his senior class,
And then Jesse leaned into the microphone, and finally spoke at last:

"As your class president, I'm here to speak to you today.
I was up most of the night, considering what words that I could say.
I reminisced on school days, and all the many things I've done,
So many memories came to mind, but my thought kept my focusing on one."

And then Jesse held up a photo, and he moved it all around,
As everyone leaned to view it, and silence was the only sound.
You could have heard a pin drop, as Jesse placed the picture in full view,
And began talking of a classmate, that no one really knew.

"Charlie's life seemed meaningless, compared to yours and mine,
Because none of us understood him, we never took the time.
We saw only what we wanted to, that Charlie was not cool,
He was far from being popular, the butt of all our jokes in school.

"That's what we knew of Charlie, that much we decided on our own,
He simply wasn't worth our time, he was an outsider who deserved to be alone.
But you see Charlie had a passion, deep within he had a dream,
It was his one desire, to pay for our soccer team.

"And of course that was ludicrous, it was totally absurd,
Charlie was no athlete, he was the senior nerd.
In gym class he was never captain, he was always chosen last,
He was the proper child for unpopular, he preferred history, science and math.

"And so some of us took it upon ourselves to keep Charlie from wanting to play,
For weeks we taunted him with insults, day after day after day.
We made sure that he wasn't welcomed, by anyone else on the team,
For whatever foolish reasons, we were set on destroying his dream.
And I'm here now to tell you, as your class president, I was wrong
I'm her to speak for Charlie, who couldn't be here, because you see he's gone."
Jesse paused just for a moment, to give time for his words to sink in,
As he looked about at the faces, of parents, teachers and friends.

"I'm not sure if all you know it, I'm not sure if anyone cares,
But the reason Charlie isn't with us is a reason I feel I must share.
Cruel words they are definitely weapons, they destroyed Charlie's body and soul,
For all of the taunting and teasing left Charlie feeling out of control.

"And Charlie alone in a battle, gathered his weapons to fight.
He purchased some drugs from a dealer, his mother found his body last night.
Maybe it was only an accident, maybe Charlie wanted to die,
But no matter how it happened, we as his classmates know why.
For who in their lives hasn't been teased, or made to feel unbearable shame,
I'm certain that everyone in this room has endured some heartache and pain.
And many boys will be boys and girls will be girls, and we each have our battles to fight,
But no matter our justification, hurting Charlie was never right."

And then Jesse took Charlie's picture and held it firm in his had,
And spoke to the photo before him, words unrehearsed and unplanned.
"If only I'd helped somehow, given you guidance to conquer your dream,
If only a teacher, a classmate, if someone would have just intervened.
But I know I can never get back, I can never undo what has been,
For you will never receive your diploma, or even play soccer again.
But deep in my heart I wonder, I can't help asking what if...
I would have reached out to you Charlie,
Would your school years have ended like this?"

Jesse stood lost in his thoughts, of a life that was ended too soon,
Until muffled coughs caught his attention, and nervous whispers began filling the room.
And then Jesse turned with a smile, before retreating back to his chair,
Teaching a valuable lesson, with his final words filling the air:

"I would like to introduce our valedictorian, he will be speaking today,
Please give him your full attention, please hear all that he has to say."
And then Jesse set Charlie's picture down, on the podium facing the crowd,
As the silence told Charlie's story, a message quite convincingly loud.

--Cherly Costello-Forshey

Back To Top of Page

Back To Table Of Contents

E-Mail