To One Who Takes Offense

I made a comment that caused one great pain
Through inadvertence. If I knew the way
I would retract the statement, would explain,
But I am yet unsure of what to say.

“The words I used were chosen poorly,” say,
Or “What I meant, was rather this not that,”
But lack of certitude’s a roundelay
As might inspire a rancorous tit for tat.

So I say nothing. Let the matter pass--
Words meant to soothe, but only spiked your rage;
We neither may forget, the moment crass,
But depth of injury is hard to gauge.

I note no fault, or what fail to discern
In my intention. Inadvertently
I spoke, but what the error fail to learn,
And so determine: best to let it be.

The tenor of our friendship changes now;
My words I’ll check, or monitor, with care,
On tenterhooks as to which to allow,
Which is to say, there is no friendship there.

It may be you are a great man, my friend,
But I intend to let friendship elapse,
To bleed into acquaintance, then to end,
Because I tire before so many traps.