It’s a feeling that’s hard to explain
Which comes from within me.
It makes the tears form in my eyes,
Which makes it hard to see.
The choking feeling in my throat,
The pounding of my heart,
To see the children at their best,
Makes my defenses depart.
How can I sit and watch them laugh?
How can I watch them play?
I will do things tomorrow,
But it’s a day away.
I see them achieve things I can’t,
Because they have a go.
The thing is that although I try,
My brain just tells me no.
I promise time and time again
That I will start anew,
But that is when tomorrow comes,
And then I never do.
I promise to myself now,
Forgetting all false pride.
I know I’m not a failure yet,
I can’t fail till I’ve tried.

By Lloyd McLean (1993)

This poem is part of the Seasons of Emotion collection