studly asked this question on 7/13/2000:

My girlfriend gave me a leatherbound journal to write poems in. Once, after a fight, I got so frustrated and had to vent. I wrote an angry poem about her, hitting sore spots, such as her losing her baby, not finishing school, etc. It made me feel worse, I called her that same night and we made up. However, I didn't throw it out because it was MY journal. When I moved last week, she opened it and read it when I wasn't around. She is so hurt and ashamed, she said that not even her worst enemy could say those kinds of things. I was just venting, I love her with all of my heart. She is so mad she barely talks to me. I'm afraid of losing her. I'm afraid of trying too hard to fix things. I've sent her an electronic card saying I'm sorry, I've held her hands and told her that I didn't mean that, it was just for me, but she is still giving me the cold shoulder. Any advice as to how to smooth this over? I've been with her since December, and I can't lose her over something this stupid, a poem that I wrote two months ago. Please help me, I feel so sick.

DLM4u gave this response on 7/13/2000:

That journal would have hurt me too. Is it worth losing your love over? I would make a date of burning the thing together. If you are very attached to the journal, then just burn the one page. Or take permanente black ink and do a scribble fest over the poem in her presence. (To show how much she means to you.) Think of how you would feel if she said such hurtful things in a journal and then kept them to read over and over. Not a pretty thought for most people. Just food for thought, and Good luck with your girlfriend. I hope that whatever you do, makes all the difference in your present situation, and it all works out. -Dena