April is National Poetry month

I sit down with nothing but thoughts

Keeping me company here

Psychologically busy,

Daily they occupy my mind.

These thoughts won’t seem to leave me.

Never-ending and looping, Thoughts of you, Thoughts of good times,

Of the ups and downs.

Words shared between you and I,

All that was real and true.

I only focus on the love,

Only the happiness and not the regrets.

Thinking not of the hurt nor the bad.

Only about that love we once had.

A past love we once shared

When both you and I deeply cared. We have been over, Having been over for awhile now.

As your birthday approaches,

A dead anniversary will go unnoticed

On your birthday. I know I cannot be around.

Here is one last gift that I give,

Give to you in front of the whole world.

A gift for you pretty lady,

Forever for all to see,

To let you know that I am truly sorry.

A sincere, deed and genuine apology. It was all my fault. You were sweet, innocent and true.

I was not strong or good enough,

I was a fool.

I was not ready for someone like you.

I was to blame and you were not at fault.

Forgive my actions and words,

Forgive my thinking and mind-set then,

Please forgive my damaged heart.

For all that you had done for me,

Those things were overshadowed

by my poor choices but you really never knew,

How much you were really loved and appreciated,

Then and even so now

With all my heart, I want to thank you.

With these words written here,

To you a final goodbye,

To you a last “Happy birthday”.

May God bless and keep you,

Your family and grant you the best

For the rest of your life.

You will never be forgotten,

Though words from me will cease.

Just know someone out there cares deeply,

Wishing every birthday you have, Here on ’til the end, Are always filled with joy,

Love, happiness, family and friends. Happy birthday. The Pilot News is seeking local poets to submit their own poem for publication in the newspaper. We will be printing them throughout the month of April as they are submitted.

Submissions are subject to editorial approval. Please limit all poems to less than 500 words. Vulgar content/language will not be accepted. Send all submissions to jmaster@thepilotnews.com.

If you’re interested in ways to celebrate other than writing a poem, head to www.poets.org for further details.