i'm sorry

bad with dates,
birthdays,
holidays,
anniversaries, the sadness
you cause.
the grief you perpetuate
when the flowers
are not in hand,
the bracelet from
the mall, or sweater
that won't fit.
the book from
the bookstore.
a gift certificate
off the grocery tree
where the tomato sauce
ailse ends. the hurried gift
is never enough. never
quite right, or meeting
the sentiment
of the occasion,
or the sincerity you wish
to convey. so here's
a card telling you.
i'm sorry.