The Most Important Forgiveness
Humiliating errors we’ve all made,
And plagued ourselves by tending to relive,
Would stand a better chance to be allayed,
If we instead could learn to self-forgive.
Insensitive Kindness
The wealthy man would always grab the checks,
Which he deemed kind, but others grew to hate,
For making them feel like financial wrecks,
When he would not let them pull their own weight.
The Football Games
When my favorite team is playing
It’s impossible to chill,
Since so much can be dismaying—
What can go wrong, often will.
Tackles missed, bad kicks, poor throws,
Passes dropped, dumb calls—all make me
Rather apt to air my woes
And thus I yell at our TV!
But when my team’s not competing
It’s a breeze to just stay tame,
For I don’t care who takes a beating,
And I just smile at the game.
Why Did He Say That?
What could be his motivation—
Was he trying to be kind?
Maybe seeking validation?
I’m not sure what filled his mind.
Perhaps to help or to impress,
Or possibly it could be neither.
I don’t know—it’s hard to guess,
And maybe he does not know either.
Russel Winick started writing poetry after ending a long legal career. He resides in Naperville, Illinois.
Russel, you know how much I enjoy your short witty poems. We have a lot in common in our thought process.
Thank you Roy. If I’m on track with you, then I know I’m on the right track.
The first two poems are “squibs,” or brief observations or comments on some minor matter. Such squibs tended to be comical, but also could be somewhat serious, and were more common in the past when poetry wasn’t strangled by high pretentiousness, political virtue-signalling, and edification. The important thing about squibs is that they not be preachy, a fault which the first one here just barely manages to escape.
The next two are perfect light verse in the old style.
Thank you Professor. I learn from you again. And will be more cognizant henceforth about not appearing preachy. I just write about my observations and thoughts, in the hope that some people will find them interesting or relate to them.
As always, nuggets of wisdom. The football ⚽️ team poem hit this England supporter hard, and as for self-forgiveness, we often don’t realise how hard we beat ourselves up.
Thanks for the read.
Thank you so much Paul. I was hoping that those poems would strike chords with some folks. I really appreciate your letting me know.
Sometimes, Russel, it’s hard to tell whether you are a wise man or just a wise guy, which is probably exactly the way you like it.
Well Sir, as far as I can tell, I’m neither. I’m just tossing my own observations and beliefs out there, in the hopes that others may enjoy and/or relate to them. Or straighten me out, if that needs doing.
No, Russel, you are a straight talker with nary a forked tongue in your mouth, but that’s just my own observation.
I’m always excited to indulge in your amusing morsels of poetic insight, Russel, and I have thoroughly enjoyed this engaging array of rhyme and reason. My favorites are the first and last. I think many are held back in life by self-imposed guilt – a heavy burden to carry when trying one’s best to move forward with a better and brighter outlook. And I love the last because I’m sure many spur-of-the-moment words have sparked pearl-clutching outrage with no reason attached and no harm intended. Russel, keep them coming, and thank you!
Thank you, P.L., and regarding insight, as we used to say as kids. — it takes one to know one. I think the reasoning in our poetry is similar, except that yours takes twenty times more talent to write.
Russel, I don’t know how you do it but keep doing what you’re doing! When I read that first one I thought, oh God, is that ever me!
Thank you Cheryl, for a comment that could not be more gratifying!
I really enjoyed the first one as it is something I’m trying to do, which is to forgive myself. I can relate to the sports one, back when I used to watch more of it. I enjoy reading your laconic poems. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Paul. I try to write relatable poems, and thus I appreciate your kind feedback very much.
“Why Did He Say That?” is worth a good smile, Russel. Trying to second-guess motivations for what people say always leaves something out, since none of us are know-it-alls. You make the guessing game fun by suggesting even the speaker might not be able to give the answer. And about those football games (or any kind of competition) we do always have our own interests and our favorite teams that draw us in emotionally!
You’re right Margaret, as usual. Thanks for the feedback.