Regret

a Poem by Raquel Swann

I remember the last time I cried

Years ago on cold night like this

Choice, the defining moment there of

Roads were merging

There was but one exit

A last exit for thousands of miles

Bright lights enticed me

I was hungry

I was cold

I was lonely

Pretty billboards filled with images

Of fun, excitement, adventure

Grabbed my attention

I veered off

Only to find

Stale food

Everlasting winter

Innocent lies

In a field of broken promises

And premonitions of a trip I’d never take

As I waved goodbye,

tears flowed

A waterfall of pain

I’d never forget