Correction Of Mistakes

Paata Shamugia   |   September 3, 2024

I have special regret for not making the mistakes
I could have made, 
But I didn't 
And missed 
The very opportunity 
To make a number of great ones. 
 
And now it's too late to regret, 
No use in fighting with the shadows-
You cannot throw yourself into the same mistake twice, 
Impossible to parade oneself in front of it- 
Never ever will it let you commit it gain. 
 
And, throughout my life I have definitely made one or two  mistakes,    
Indeed,  I have! 
But they all were delicate, dangerous-
Slipping out of my hand, 
And the very mistakes supposed to be mine
Now are being committed by others. 
 
I often dream of them, 
Meeting them in my dreams at night
As if I am making the biggest
And most intolerable ones, 
And wake up with joy. 
 
Extract from the poem 'Correction of Mistakes' 

Translated by Inga Zhgenti