Poetry Friday: "It Was All My Fault" (September Poetry Challenge)

Tanita Davis shared the Poetry Pals' Challenge for September: 

We deal with some ADHD here in Edmisten World. Knowing and accepting that ADHD is a genuine cognitive difference is really helpful. (Correction: it's vital.) And consider this, from ADDitudemag.com: 

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a confusing, contradictory, inconsistent, and frustrating condition. It is overwhelming to people who live with it every day.

Part of the overwhelm comes from blaming yourself for things that may not fully be in your control. ("I feel like a failure" is a common refrain.) 

So my poem this week is an affectionate nod to everyone who has ADHD, and to all who live with ADHDers. And to everyone who has ever thought that everything is their fault ... I'm willing to bet it's not. 

It Was All My Fault 

Karen Edmisten

I lost my phone,

it was all my fault. 

Sigh. Now I’m gonna eat. 

I’ll get the salt. 

I forgot the salt. 

That was all my fault. 

My meal was bland. 

Now I want a malt. 

Can I DoorDash the malt?

No, again I’m at fault. 

Cuz my phone is lost. 

ADHD assault. 

Did I order this brain? 

Indeed I did not. 

I’d have ordered a vault. 

So who’s really at fault? 

My preference would be

for some brain gestalt, 

hold it all in my mind. 

It’s not really my fault. (Is it?)

Stop, said my family, 

my friends, my beloved. 

The self-assault must 

come to a halt. 

It’s not your fault. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tricia at The Miss Rumphius Effect has the Poetry Friday round-up this week. 

I look forward to seeing who played along with the September challenge, 

and if they're taking the blame or lobbing it. 😊