All (of My) Apologies

A sonnet inspired by a song's title

It's so hard to shut off

The snottiness in me

The dark spiteful ball

Of bitterness in me

Long enough for me to see

The damage left in my path

Where I've expressed my wrath

Yes, it's hard to shut off

The damaged design of me

Long enough for me to see

That I'm the true enemy

Rather frequently ...

So I'm working on

All of my apologies

Jim Lonsdale Poetry 2025

Author's Note

Inspired by the Nirvana song title "All Apologies" (lyrics by Kurt Cobain)

Reviews

[Michael Sun Bear]

Ouch! It can be so painful to take a hard look at oneself. Plus, I don’t know if this may be true for you, but I find it much more difficult to forgive myself for my mistakes than to forgive others. Your lines are sharply written with no unnecessary words to clutter. I particularly like: yes, it’s hard to shut off the damaged design of me….I do relate! Overall your poem is all the more powerful for its bare boned honesty. MSB

[Desert Knave]

Thank you. I am very much the same, forgiving myself is always harder. ~Jim

[Ayesha Faiz]

This poem is deeply honest and brave. It captures the inner struggle with emotions like bitterness and regret in such a real and relatable way. The way you reflect on your own actions and take responsibility shows strength and growth. It’s powerful how you turn that reflection into a step toward healing and making progress.

[Desert Knave]

Thank you so much ! ~Jim

[Coyote Poetry]

The lines below. So damn true my friend.
(That I'm the true enemy
Rather frequently ...
So I'm working on
All of my apologies)
I got old. Can't apology to a grave. Thank you my friend for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts. I did like.
Coyote

[Desert Knave]

Thank you so much. Yeah, I have lost so many over the years myself. ~Jim