regret
a personification
this is a random piece I wrote several years ago as part of a writing competition between myself, one of my cousins, and a friend - it was a fun way to personify an emotion.
Since the beginning of time, I have haunted mankind. The typical mortal looks back on their life, asking why they made the choices they did. I am the reason for that. Most of them hate me. And yet there have been the rare few who have gone so far as to thank me for my intervention in their lives.
For some, we have crossed paths many times; they walk past me, faces elevated above the position considered normal, escorted by Pride. I try to wave them down, but their invisible guide keeps them going. It doesn’t bother me that much, though, for my job comes later. After the choices, after the passing pleasure and after Pride has left them crumpled and broken, I creep up, reminding them of what they should have done. What they could have done. My presence haunts them. I whisper softly in their ear, painting a picture of what they might have experienced.
My arch-enemy, Humility, occasionally spares a few souls from my painful presence, but they often meet me later on. Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like to stand next to Humility - always crowned in light. But then, who would carry the weight of every mortal’s foolish choices, if not I?
Through my intervention, some wise souls have gained wisdom from their folly. When I come to remind them of what they should have done, they listen gladly. My life is a song of mistakes and choices once deemed wise; each note the story of a soul who chose to forsake Humility and instead found me along their journey of life.
Nearly every mortal entwines paths with me again on their deathbed. I shake their hand, a cordial reminder of my existence in their lives.
As they take their final breath, I whisper one last thing to them.
“I am Regret.”