No doubt, you have read about or heard candidates in the up-coming race for the White House made apologies, right, left and centre for their mistakes, wrongdoings, gaffes or whatever during their political speeches.

Let's for a moment look more closely at the apology. In a civilized society, good manners predicates that when acts that cannot be undone, hurt the feelings of others, the apology is the balm that soothes. This ointment must be applied in a timely fashion to be most effective. Indeed, the tone and texture in the apology must send off an air of sincerity. When the apology is given orally, the body language of the apologizer must be in harmony with the message in the apology. I tend to agree with this view that folks who are deep thinkers and not egotistically propelled don' t have many occasions when they need make apologies.

Enough said. However, when the apology is ignored, irreparable damaged to the future relationships of the person or persons involved is the end result. What does this tell you? The apology is of upmost importance in human interaction. Be reminded that the apology (carry the olive blossom) does not make the apologizer weak or be perceived as being cowardly. On the contrary, it shows strength of character.

In making an apology there are key elements that must be present otherwise it is not an apology but grand standing. What are these key ingredients for a good and sincere apology? One should express regret. Provide assurance that the offense won’t happen again. Deliver the apology on time. Make sure it is genuine and avoid the use of the word, "but…"

In imperial lingo, a mistake, misspoke, gaffe, white lie or whatever is romantically coated as a Faux pas. Well in the summer of 2005 while in New Zealand all the different forms of the media were having a field day exposing Prince Harry's faux pas. Prince Harry, the son of Prince Charles threw a fancy-dress ball. Unknowing to Prince Harry, I'm told; the paparazzi took pictures of him wearing a Nazi war symbol. These pictures caused eyebrows to be raised among the Jewish community as well as with Leaders of Commonwealth countries. They felt his behaviour was not in keeping with someone who may some day become King of England. The distraught Prince after many days of mulling over this faux pas gave an apology. His apology is seen as a very heroic act. This brought him back in good favour with people around the globe and indeed the Jewish community. The apology from this royal youth serves to strengthen the notion that any sincere apology can heal wounds. I was so impressed with the outcome of his apology, there and then, I had to write a poem about it in iambic pentameter with a rhyme scheme abab. Here it goes

The frivolity of youth is its charm;
Slowly fades away with the aging soul;
A fancy dress party raised the alarm;
The harried Prince, some way, has lost control.

Skeletons in the closet do have sway;
Secrets are tied to the bones in the chest;
In graveyards they no longer want to stay,
But invade young minds that want to impress.

Constant in battle are young rolling stones;
The ancestral flaws they like to expose;
Hypocrisy lies in these bags of bones,
So let’s throw a party and wear their clothes.

The stage was set for the ball of the year;
Tom, Dick and Harry wore mask in the crowd;
Common guys were not suppose to be there;
And their ragbag clothes made a Nazi cloud.

The commoners’ streets are not paved with gold;
So the hair comes down in any spotlight.
Top of the line, comes from a different mould,
So a faux pas is very impolite.

In the lens, paparazzi shoot the Crown;
No vetted shots, from them, for royal folks,
Who throughout the country they bring renown;
This mystic feeling, royalty evokes.

Mistakes are made so old folks reprimand,
But with every error something is learnt.
History as a core, not taught in England!
So youth do not know what folks Hitler burnt.

How well one seeks to correct every wrong,
Indicates the true measure of the man;
So you eat humble pie, to make you strong,
And reflect on the way it all began.

Well, you apologise with words really
That show, your remorse is truly sincere.
The apology is given freely,
For actions speak louder than codes you wear.