It Should Have Been Better

She rarely spoke of her start in life Or the years she'd worked to overcome strife And all anyone saw was the smile in her eyes Too smug and self-righteous to ever realize Her tenderness, fragile, like a dream on the wind Made her easy to crush when she needed a friend When the love of her life loved someone else And spun her joy into a version of hell She sought out her comfort in the hugs of others But it was clear from their words they felt so far above her:

it could be worse - don't cry do not weep you have no right here you sit so sad and sighing while half the world is dead or dying they shamed her heart with verse upon verse of "just remember - it could always be worse"

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She moved on and found new smiles Worked at making life worthwhile But soon enough the hard times hit The kids were hungry in clothes unfit She toiled from dawn till late at night Though sad and worn she did not cry Until one day in weariness She wept to friends of her distress But once again they could not see Past their own big heads to their friend in need

it could be worse - don't cry do not weep you have no right here you sit so sad and sighing while half the world is dead or dying they tore her heart with verse upon verse of "just remember - it could always be worse"

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Then one day on a warm spring morning She fell to sickness with little warning The doctor confirmed her silent fears And told her she'd reached the dusk of her years Her heart was sad and she ached for friends For someone who'd hold her and help face the end But alone she drew her final breath And her "friends" were surprised when they heard of her death By way of GoodBye she left a few simple words And prayed they'd be heeded and not go unheard:
You always told me not to cry That as for weeping I had no right When I was sad and fell to sighing You said just think, you could be dying You broke my heart with your careless verse Don't you know I knew it could have been worse? I only wanted warmth and love But no matter my need it was never enough My last dying hope is that somehow you'll see How hurtful and careless your actions can be And maybe the next time a "friend" needs some care You will be kinder, and you will be there So farewell, remember, the point of this letter: It could have been worse, but it should have been better.

More comments:

• On Wednesday, March 10, 2010, Cappy (2) wrote:
  
  absolutely classic. Embeds in your brain. Wish I could make those brush off people read this everytime this situation arises.
  
  
• On Tuesday, May 12, 2009, Blood Saga (109) wrote:
  
  I love your work, all of it. Its as simple as that :)
  
  
• On Sunday, May 10, 2009, Spiral Downward (406) wrote:
  
  Once again you amaze me, always have. Even though this rhymes, it doesn't strip away the merit or enlightment laced within those words. This was as morbidly sad and heavy as it was intellignet. Instead of just melodrama you paint a picture of real-life. This would be excellent if titled WAKE UP CALL. I Loved This! Masterpiece!
  
  
• On Friday, January 9, 2009, CharlottesWeb (599) wrote:
  
  Well, I almost quoted this poem tonight, and then realized how often it pops into my head. So I came by to read it, and drop a line about it's agelessness.
  
  
• On Tuesday, December 16, 2008, Morbid_insanity (127) wrote:
  
  this is the kind of work that really sticks. it puts life into an entirely new perspective. i almost cried while reading this, probably becuase of more personal matters but nevertheless, this was a spectacular work.
  
  
• On Tuesday, December 16, 2008, Morbid_insanity (127) wrote:
  
  i think that a good writer always envokes a change in a reader be it just an emotional change or a life revelation. this definitely did that for me
  
  
• On Friday, October 3, 2008, warmaprylrain (188) wrote:
  
  this is amazing, and really makes you stop and think
  
  
• On Tuesday, December 4, 2007, Naked_Faerie (153) wrote:
  
  How can I ever read one of yours without commenting? I admit that I don't always read the poem of my day in my e-mail but when I get one like this, I am glad that I took time out of my stupid, busy life to remember why I love poetry...yours especially. You always touch me and remind me what beauty is! ~Faerie~
  
  
• On Tuesday, December 4, 2007, totaltrip (42) wrote:
  
  wow. just wow. i find myself in this work. i find myself sighing, i find myself in need of friend. but at the same time i find myself saying it could be worse. but again, wow, just wow. thanks.
  
  
• On Thursday, September 13, 2007, anakronistik_me (31) wrote:
  
  i've really changed since the first time i read this. i've become a better person. thank you. without reading this i might not have changed at all.
  
  
• On Monday, August 13, 2007, Reefer_rave (185) wrote:
  
  I've always loved this, the trite things people say without knowing how they really make someone feel.
  
  
• A former member wrote: Wow, amazing write
  
  
• On Tuesday, March 27, 2007, anakronistik_me (31) wrote:
  
  i'm not really sure what to say...i just can't form words to fit.
  
  
• On Wednesday, March 7, 2007, prettydisgrace (109) wrote:
  
  its amazing...so emotional.words cannot explain.
  
  
• A former member wrote: I just love this. Thats all i have to say.
  
  
• On Tuesday, September 19, 2006, mywristshurt (449) wrote:
  
  this still makes me cry.. everytime i read this.. oh by the way i meant to tell you i put this poem in a report last year for english class.. just wanted to let you know
  
  
• On Sunday, April 23, 2006, mywristshurt (449) wrote:
  
  this poem always makes me cry.. i love it so much, and each time it touches my heart..
  
  
• On Tuesday, April 4, 2006, Angst Queen (428) wrote:
  
  I can't believe I didn't see a comment from my self on this one. Reading this, especially the last part, sent shivers through my body. You're writing is incredible.
  
  
• A former member wrote: I hate you for your way with words that I could never dream of having.
  
  
• A former member wrote: .W O W.