It Should Have Been Better

By cre

She rarely spoke of her start in life Or the years she'd worked to overcome strife And all anyone saw was the smile in her eyes Too smug and self-righteous to ever realize Her tenderness, fragile, like a dream on the wind Made her easy to crush when she needed a friend When the love of her life loved someone else And spun her joy into a version of hell She sought out her comfort in the hugs of others But it was clear from their words they felt so far above her:

it could be worse - don't cry do not weep you have no right here you sit so sad and sighing while half the world is dead or dying they shamed her heart with verse upon verse of "just remember - it could always be worse"

--------

She moved on and found new smiles Worked at making life worthwhile But soon enough the hard times hit The kids were hungry in clothes unfit She toiled from dawn till late at night Though sad and worn she did not cry Until one day in weariness She wept to friends of her distress But once again they could not see Past their own big heads to their friend in need

it could be worse - don't cry do not weep you have no right here you sit so sad and sighing while half the world is dead or dying they tore her heart with verse upon verse of "just remember - it could always be worse"

--------

Then one day on a warm spring morning She fell to sickness with little warning The doctor confirmed her silent fears And told her she'd reached the dusk of her years Her heart was sad and she ached for friends For someone who'd hold her and help face the end But alone she drew her final breath And her "friends" were surprised when they heard of her death By way of GoodBye she left a few simple words And prayed they'd be heeded and not go unheard:
You always told me not to cry That as for weeping I had no right When I was sad and fell to sighing You said just think, you could be dying You broke my heart with your careless verse Don't you know I knew it could have been worse? I only wanted warmth and love But no matter my need it was never enough My last dying hope is that somehow you'll see How hurtful and careless your actions can be And maybe the next time a "friend" needs some care You will be kinder, and you will be there So farewell, remember, the point of this letter: It could have been worse, but it should have been better.

Unauthorized Copying Is Prohibited. Ask the author first.
Copyright 2003 cre
Published on Wednesday, July 9, 2003.     Filed under: "Poetry"
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Comments on "It Should Have Been Better"

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  • carlosjackal On Saturday, January 12, 2019, carlosjackal (3011)By person wrote:

    Simply a hands-down classic.

  • sIo On Tuesday, April 10, 2018, sIo (926)By person wrote:

    Awestruck. Gouged in the throat and holding my breath along with tears and a whimper. Home couldn’t be so close to words as this. Brava.

  • A former member wrote: Rhythmically written.. exceptional rhymes, beautiful words.. I'd say we've got a keeper here. Short stories, poems, songs' whathaveyou... keep writing. Please.

  • A former member wrote: This struck a nerve, a different chord. Because, whenever a friend comes to me for advice, and they shoot my advice down, saying they've already done this or that, and no more could be done, I always said, "Well, could be worse." In all honesty, I think it's double faced for figure. Those who say nothing or agree with "It could be worse," are no better than those who suggest it in the first place. Very touching write though.

  • A former member wrote: this is so true just beautiful and amazing. get job

  • Star On Sunday, February 10, 2013, Star (920)By person wrote:

    omfg... this is amazing.. i seriously loved every moment of this.... wow...

  • Dreaming in Stanzas On Tuesday, February 14, 2012, Dreaming in Stanzas (303)By person wrote:

    YES! That's the only word I have for this.

  • TakeMeAsIAm On Friday, July 15, 2011, TakeMeAsIAm (4)By person wrote:

    I think you just changed my whole outlook on life. People always tell me 'it could be worse' and i will start replying that it could also be better. how soothing this was- thank you!!

  • A former member wrote: I'm sorry it wasnt better.

  • sanglante On Wednesday, December 22, 2010, sanglante (17)By person wrote:

    it breaks my heart.

  • A former member wrote: I absolutely love this! AMAZING job!

  • A former member wrote: this poem is amazing, truly

  • ubiquitoussoul On Thursday, August 12, 2010, ubiquitoussoul (346)By person wrote:

    Since I absolutely love this work and your writing in general..I don't know what hasn't been said already..This is amazing..emotionally moving,touching,its clever and intelligent..I leave my say..good day

  • Riven Waker On Saturday, July 31, 2010, Riven Waker (323)By person wrote:

    so poignant - absolutely stunning - in its ephemeral beauty

  • Everlasting Gobstopper On Sunday, June 13, 2010, Everlasting Gobstopper (18)By person wrote:

    I think your work inspires m e above all the poets on this site

  • A former member wrote: what a humbling piece of work. It's breathtaking. And it's so true! I can completely relate to it, and that's awesome. It makes you stop and think. Phenomenal job. (: And it flows almost flawlessly. It encourages me to write! Thank you for taking the time to put it on here. it gives me motivation.

  • A former member wrote: this really is amazing!

  • A former member wrote: Really good! I am amazed! This is absolutely one of the most amazing things I've ever read! Good work! :)

  • A former member wrote: i agree with truth. This piece is amazing. not something to forget. thank you for the write. :)

  • unspeakable truth On Tuesday, April 20, 2010, unspeakable truth (100)By person wrote:

    I am not sure there are words to do this piece justice. So much truth within each line and a lesson worth never forgetting. Intelligently written and quite thought provoking. Scholar

  • A former member wrote: wow. I read this a few times and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Powerful. Scholar

  • A former member wrote: absolutely classic. Embeds in your brain. Wish I could make those brush off people read this everytime this situation arises. Scholar

  • Blood Saga On Tuesday, May 12, 2009, Blood Saga (81)By person wrote:

    I love your work, all of it. Its as simple as that :)

  • CharlottesWeb On Friday, January 9, 2009, CharlottesWeb (511)By person wrote:

    Well, I almost quoted this poem tonight, and then realized how often it pops into my head. So I came by to read it, and drop a line about it's agelessness.

  • Morbid_insanity On Tuesday, December 16, 2008, Morbid_insanity (75)By person wrote:

    this is the kind of work that really sticks. it puts life into an entirely new perspective. i almost cried while reading this, probably becuase of more personal matters but nevertheless, this was a spectacular work.

  • Morbid_insanity On Tuesday, December 16, 2008, Morbid_insanity (75)By person wrote:

    i think that a good writer always envokes a change in a reader be it just an emotional change or a life revelation. this definitely did that for me

  • A former member wrote: this is amazing, and really makes you stop and think

  • totaltrip On Tuesday, December 4, 2007, totaltrip (36)By person wrote:

    wow. just wow. i find myself in this work. i find myself sighing, i find myself in need of friend. but at the same time i find myself saying it could be worse. but again, wow, just wow. thanks.

  • anakronistik_me On Thursday, September 13, 2007, anakronistik_me (24)By person wrote:

    i've really changed since the first time i read this. i've become a better person. thank you. without reading this i might not have changed at all.

  • Reefer_rave On Monday, August 13, 2007, Reefer_rave (146)By person wrote:

    I've always loved this, the trite things people say without knowing how they really make someone feel.

  • A former member wrote: Wow, amazing write

  • anakronistik_me On Tuesday, March 27, 2007, anakronistik_me (24)By person wrote:

    i'm not really sure what to say...i just can't form words to fit.

  • prettydisgrace On Wednesday, March 7, 2007, prettydisgrace (96)By person wrote:

    its amazing...so emotional.words cannot explain.

  • A former member wrote: I just love this. Thats all i have to say.

  • mywristshurt On Tuesday, September 19, 2006, mywristshurt (408)By person wrote:

    this still makes me cry.. everytime i read this.. oh by the way i meant to tell you i put this poem in a report last year for english class.. just wanted to let you know

  • mywristshurt On Sunday, April 23, 2006, mywristshurt (408)By person wrote:

    this poem always makes me cry.. i love it so much, and each time it touches my heart..

  • Angst Queen On Tuesday, April 4, 2006, Angst Queen (370)By person wrote:

    I can't believe I didn't see a comment from my self on this one. Reading this, especially the last part, sent shivers through my body. You're writing is incredible.

  • A former member wrote: I hate you for your way with words that I could never dream of having.

  • A former member wrote: .W O W.

  • A former member wrote: that is just so perfect there's a great point to this and i admire your writing

  • Spyral On Wednesday, November 23, 2005, Spyral (24)By person wrote:

    I'm in love with the random works button.. I wouldn't have stumbled onto this.. It helped to remind me to be there for my friends...

  • A former member wrote: this is beautiful it reminds me of myself and my life, it is great it really brings tears to my eyes when i read it.

  • GothicBlack On Wednesday, September 7, 2005, GothicBlack (186)By person wrote:

    i think i'm about to cry cre! you've completely out done yourself this time. Theres sooo much feeling and depth to this. Only one so great as you could bring tears to my eyes. Thank You. ~gothic~

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