10 Poems About Mistakes
Mistakes are something we all face, but they can become some of life’s greatest teachers when we choose to learn from them. These poems share hope, second chances, and lessons learned.
Every mistake carries a lesson, and every lesson gives us another chance to grow.
Updated January 7, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer
No one goes through life without making mistakes. They happen in small moments and in big decisions, and often when we least expect them. What truly matters is not the mistake itself, but how we respond after it happens. These poems about mistakes are meant to encourage you when you feel discouraged, remind you that you are not alone, and help you see that growth often comes from missteps. Within these verses, you will find reassurance, wisdom, and gentle reminders that mistakes do not define you, but they can guide you forward if you allow them to teach you.
We All Make Mistakes
Frustration, disappointment and even defeat,
At times we all sometimes feel.
Don't let mistakes be a disappointment in your life,
Don't be down as joy it will steal.
We all sometimes find,
Ourselves taking two steps back.
Even the best of us,
Sometimes feel like that.
Time to wake up,
And live as you want.
Don't allow those two steps back,
To stop you and haunt.
We all make our own mistakes.
There is no time for looking back,
It's time to stand tall and hold your head high,
Learn from it, move forward, stay on track!
Thankful For The Mistakes
Be thankful for the mistakes you have made
As they teach you better than a school grade
Some see mistakes as failures so
But don't let mistakes take you that low.
Mistakes are made by everyone
The day will never come that you'll make none
The important thing to realize
There is learning for you to recognize.
Learn from the mistake with knowledge you have gained
Don't let the mistake be a failure or a drain
Mistakes are like one step forward and then two back
Always remember they teach you what you lack!
If I Could
If I could live again my life,
In the next - I'll try,
- to make more mistakes,
I won't try to be so perfect,
I'll be more relaxed,
I'll be more full - than I am now,
In fact, I'll take fewer things seriously,
I'll be less hygienic,
I'll take more risks,
I'll take more trips,
I'll watch more sunsets,
I'll climb more mountains,
I'll swim more rivers,
I'll go to more places - I've never been,
I'll eat more ice creams and less (lime) beans,
I'll have more real problems - and less imaginary ones,
I was one of those people who live prudent and prolific lives -
each minute of his life,
Of course that I had moments of joy -
but, if I could go back I'll try to have only good moments,
If you don't know - that's what life is made of, don't lose the now!
Lying Awake
At night I find myself lying awake
I think of the day and my mistakes
Why did I do it that way
I ponder and question why.
Could I have done it differently, another way
There are some who point fault and say
You dropped the ball you didn't think
When that is said behind my desk I want to sink
I realize my biggest downfall
Is making myself feel small
Everyone makes mistakes
I should give myself a shake.
Laying awake, and worrying so
Does no good that I know
What have I learned, I will focus on
I need to sleep it will soon be dawn.
The Lesson
Who does not make a mistake?
What is important is the lesson they take.
Mistakes are a part of life each day
Learn all you can and apply it in a way
That next time you have to do
You will change your how to
Don't beat yourself up cause you got it wrong
Correct it if you can and move on.
No One Is Perfect
The thing to keep in mind: no one is perfect
Errors each one of us has had the effect
When something goes wrong it does not mean
That disaster has happened and failure is seen.
A mistake, a mishap, an error it may be
But they can all be fixed don't you see.
If we were all perfect we would never learn
How to handle an obstacle at the next turn.
Life is full of ups and downs
Time of smiles and times of frowns
And while a frown you may see
A mistake can be fixed and smiles we will see.
Not The End
A mistake is not the end of the world
A mistake does not mean failure
A mistake may be a setback
But it is not the end.
Pick up the pieces, try again
Don't let one thing stop you.
Step back, take a breath
Throw out the wrong, keep the good.
You will find success will come
If you don't give up
Take your new knowledge
And try again!
Mistakes
Vouchsafe to keep me this day without sin!
Yea, Lord, from danger, too, for Christ’s dear sake;
Yet more I ask, - for more, Thy help would win,-
In Thy deep pity, keep me from mistake.
Mistakes of judgment! when no light I see,
Yet in my blindness fain would do my best;
When to life’s problem I can find no key,
And grope in darkness, with a weight oppressed.
Mistakes of loving! when my heart leaps forth
To answer heart that faithful seems, and true;
Then learn that hope of gain marks friendship’s worth,
That love unselfish is the gift of few.
Mistakes in guiding others on, through way
Which shining looks, and leads to sunny height,
Only to lose ourselves at close of day,
And wander in dense woods, through dangerous night.
Yet teach me, Lord, that if, with purpose true,
With unperverted will, I firmly make
My choice,- that is the best that I can do,
And Thou didst mean that I should oft mistake.
Thus, through my failures, lead to sure success;
Through falls, to stand on ground that never quakes, -
Through error, learn Thy strength, - my feebleness, -
Climb nearer Heaven, by means of my mistakes.
Influence
The smallest bark on life's tumultuous ocean
Will leave a track behind forevermore;
The lightest wave of influence, once in motion,
Extends and widens to the eternal shore.
We should be wary, then, who go before
A myriad yet to be, and we should take
Our bearings carefully where breakers roar
And fearful tempests gather: one mistake
May wreck unnumbered barks that follow in our wake.
Mistakes Made
Accidents are made, whether we want them or not,
And sometimes it hurts so much, running away is our first thought.
We sit and think and ponder about all the what-ifs.
The guilt takes us over and walks us off a mental cliff.
We need to stop and remember, mistakes are part of the game.
If you can learn from them, then there is no shame.
Human beings are not perfect and were never created to be.
Growing up no matter your age, you will forever be a trainee.
So cut yourself some slack, and thank God no one got hurt.
Next time you're in this position, you'll be much more alert.
And don't forget to forgive yourself, you can't change what's already happened.
But you can look to your future, be courageous, and be reconditioned.
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Conclusion
As you finish these poems about mistakes, remember this. A mistake does not cancel your worth, and it does not have to stop your progress. When you take time to reflect, you gain wisdom for the next step. When you choose to try again, you show courage. Life gives us many chances to learn, to grow, and to do better than we did before. May these poems remind you to be patient with yourself, to keep moving forward, and to let each lesson help you become stronger.
More Poems Of Encouragement to Inspire and Motivate
A mistake is not the end, it is a turning point when you choose to learn and begin again.