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Note to Self

Linda Yoest 1951 (Ohio)

October 22 
Free verse
Mouth: Quicker than hand.
Sigh.
Tongue: Blurting. Rude. Unkind.
Again.
Hand: Clapped over mouth.
Afterward.
Lips: Pressed together, tight.
Too late.
Rue: Seals lips not in time.
Aw.
Regret: Tames tongue, not.
Ugh.
Remorse: Hastens not hand to mouth.
Woe.
Note to Self:
Not every thought entering my mind
Should pass through my mouth,
Roll off my tongue and escape my lips.
Alas.
My help comes from the Lord.
Thankfully.

About this poem

A poem inspired by my prayer journal entry reflecting upon the verse, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3

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Written on September 30, 2022

Submitted by LinYoest on October 01, 2022

Modified by LinYoest on November 09, 2022

27 sec read
73

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCDEFGHIJKLEMNCEOPQR
Closest metre Iambic dimeter
Characters 424
Words 90
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 21
Full analysis for Note to Self »

Linda Yoest

I am 70 years old. I used to write poetry quite a bit in my 20s and 30s, but haven't for a very long time. I wrote my favorite poem in 1984 and gave it framed to my parents for Christmas--it was on tracing paper over a drawing I did of a hand. My parents have passed away; the poem hangs over my computer desk. It was published in American Poetry Anthology 1987, Volume VII, Number 1, edited by John Frost. The title is The Element; page 306; my last name at that time was McDonald. It's time to get back to reading--and maybe writing--poetry. more…

All Linda Yoest poems | Linda Yoest Books

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    "Note to Self" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 8 May 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/143343/note-to-self>.

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