I always enjoy your rhymed poems on the theme of love, Walter, because, whether they are more tender and speak of an everlasting love... or there is more sadness infused in each verse, you portray a great deal of emotion. I also feel like you show the nuances in relationships, and, especially in this piece, the way we can often be our own enemies, when our sense of pride or bruised ego gets in the way of making genuine amends. Even if there are reminders and remnants of a love that was once so clear to see by all, there's pain in the way it changes. Whether that's more of a natural change and shift in what each partner wants, or whether it could have been prevented to some degree.

Apologies mean a lot. I used to say sorry for the smallest things, even when people told me it's not my fault and that I shouldn't be apologizing. I grew from that, in confidence and self-esteem, then realized the importance of apologizing when someone is hurt. When, even if it may not have been intentional, someone was impacted by what I did or said. Even if we think it didn't matter, or that we may have had a different reaction, the whole point of apologizing is listening to the other person. Putting them first. And self-awareness is key in that. Caring about how our words and actions affect others.

Well-done, Walter!