Flogging

Michael Chabon wrote, “every great love was in some measure a terrible mistake.” I wonder what happened to him so he knew that. I wonder about the minor loves, if they are terrible mistakes or just misdemeanors? I wonder about the people I’ve hurt and if they feel loving me was a terrible mistake. Of course, though he tempers the quote with “in some measure.” Does that mean that in all other measures it was a wonderful thing? My head hurts. My heart hurts. Here is a poem I am not going to finish, so feel free to do something with it. I don’t want it anymore.

Maggie carries her heart on her sleeve,
which was particularly painful on
flogging day.