From Poetic Asides:  “For today’s prompt, there are actually two options, because it’s Tuesday, which means a “Two for Tuesday” prompt.  They are: Write an apology poem, or…Write an unapologetic poem.”


an anonymous tip alleging
stockpiles of apologies
laced with
lethal levels of ifs
terms, conditions
and retractions
was at first
fruitless.

the perp had swallowed
years of evidence whole
moments before
and stood arms akimbo
chock full of transgressions
engorged and slightly bilious
while the agents of decency
frisked patted 
and searched.

despite a closed mouth
justice prevailed
in the end.
the perp’s undoing?

simply
sorry
breath.