I regret…..

I regret

the years that I wasted

hiding my pain and fears

with addiction.

I regret

time spent hating myself

blaming myself

for mistakes made in the past.

I regret

that it took so long

so very, very long

for me to forgive myself

and let the healing begin.

Melancholy arises

as I stare down paths

that vanish with each regret.

Paths of life undiscovered.

But there is no regret

for the path I did choose,

that path of brambles and thorns,

made me the woman I am today.

©Jay-lyn Doerksen

Aug. 20/17