Oops. My Bad. by Steve Henn

      Jenna Post CC


Oops. My Bad.

I am sorry for saying things when
No One Asked for My Opinion.

I am working on it. I am sorry
for bath bombs filled with glitter

even though *technically* they are not my fault.
I am so so sorry for no longer understanding

what people mean by *technically* like I used to
think I understood when I was 9.

I am sorry for when I was 9.
For the cruel selfish irony-savant

I was then, so gloriously terrible, it seemed.
I am sorry for being terrified. Sorry

for all my fears. Sorry
I could not carry the load, a load,

any load – could not accept anything
weighted with responsibility. Til God

came at me with Shock and Awe
and I lost my grit and wits and soul and brevity.

I traded all that in for a hill of beans.
I am sorry I was never king of that hill.

I’m sorry I ever hated anyone. I’m sorry
for being sorry. I’m sorry for my stained jeans.


​
Steve Henn is the author of Indiana Noble Sad Man of the Year (Wolfson 2017) and two previous poetry collections from NYQ Books. He writes and teaches in Indiana.