One Little Mistake

The world is a treacherous place

Full of pot holes and peg holes

One lapse in concentration

Down the hole you go

Spiralling out of control

Stumbling in the dark

Too scared to remark

An inner voice rouses

Hold out your hand

Take hold of humanness

Let go of the mistake

Bring only the lesson

Now be on your way

As the new day breaks

-Camille Delaquise

This poem appears in RISE, Camille’s second contemporary poetry collection. One Little Mistake explores the fragile moment when shame threatens to consume perspective — ultimately suggesting that compassion, humility and self-forgiveness are what allow a person to carry wisdom forward rather than remain trapped in error.

This poem is available as a contemporary poetry print on textured recycled card.