I wrote this poem after hearing the tragic story of a local man who decided to drive while drinking, only to end up taking the life of his wife in a horrific accident. After hearing this story I couldn't help but wonder how the man felt. What his life must be like, knowing that his ignorance was to blame for a life being cut short. How he must have felt, having to carry such a heavy burden.
This poem originally was published in Poems on Life - Poems on Society
Imprisoned By Guilt
I can't seem to find the words to say just how I feel The pain is ever growing since they put you on that hill I stop by to say I miss you almost every day I pray that God above will soon take this hurt away I can still see you lying there among that crumpled heap I wish that I could close my eyes and this memory delete It haunts me every waking hour and in every wink of sleep Ever losing grip on sanity no longer mine to keep I would give most anything if I could rewrite history Cause in my heart I know that you should be here instead of me In my cell, my private Hell locked inside my head If I hadn't had too much to drink then you would not be dead |
©
2000
Jeffrey Carter
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20 Visitor Comments (from the Voting form)
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misThis poem really touched my heart because not to long ago I shared a similar experience and I feel imprisoned as well Good Job on the poem
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TaffyWow, what a powerful poem, it felt so realistic.
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mikeomg this is sooo cute,,, and sad,,, i really like it.
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CristineJust WONDERFUL!
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ShirleyGreat poem, I had a sister-in-law killed by a drunk driver in a head on collision, her son survived but not without physical and mental scaring. It only take one time to ruin your life and that of many others. Thanks for the words of wisdom in this poem.
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AmandaGREAT POEM
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Tatianaan awesome poem!
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caesarit was good!
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EmmaJust shows you that one don't have to go to prison to be in prison.
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hockey rulesThis peom is very good. It made me feel very sad, the way the writer wrote it made the reader feel some of their pain.
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SavannahI thought this poem was touching because it expressed the true guilt someone would feel if they had lived and someone they loved had died due to their choice. It really spoke to me. Exellent!
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camilleImprisoned by guilt was extremely touching. i came across this poem while searching for texts about guilt for a yr 12 english assignment. i used this poem because guilt its one of the most destructive of human emotions and is clearly evident in this poem.
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kezohmigod this is so touching i am 15 and my uncle asked me to drive because he was drunk but i killed my uncle and i should be gone instead it is also wat i do everyday
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REVJamesgreat job,
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lisaim so sorry
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MarkBThis poem touched me deeply, not only because of it's realistic appeal, but also because of the way it was written.
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lenits really good,
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DeannaThank you for this look inside of the mind of this man. All too often we overlook the burdens that even the person who chose to drink and drive carry, but your words are probably the closest thing that we can ever hope for without truly experiencing the tragedy first hand.
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BonniExcellent poem. Very touching.
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emersonI have narrowly escaped the subject matter of this poem.
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