If I Could

At sixty-one, my course has run
and the end of this life nears.
Some things I've done were lots of fun;
others brought only tears.

If I could, I surely would
have some events re-arranged.
Some were good but others should
if possible be changed.

If I could invite the Gods to re-write
several chapters of this life.
I'd surely delight in setting things right
and avoiding a great deal of strife.

If I had my way, I'd go back to the days
when I was a high school kid.
I'd have diff'rent visions, make diff'rent decisions
and change many things that I did.

© 2007 G. Harrison Quay

Reviews

[Kasey Klein]

Hello my friend.

Love the beat; love the mournful tone. I like how this flies in the face of the classic and clich� My way in all its incarnations, accepting with stoic fatalism every choose we made.

One of the reasons I write is so I can retell the story as I recall it. As the master of my my story, which some people call memory, I'm free to invite the gods to sit with me and cast a different lot.

But, your poem. I love the playfulness, brings Frost to mind.

Nicely done, my friend.

[Kitty]

This is something I say often. If only I could. I have so many things I'd change in my life. Really like this poem. Thought provoking... And as always fabulously written.

Josie

[*~Imperfectly Me~*]

I like this piece... if only we could go back... I know that i do not have much of an experience with life seeing as I am only 18 but I have one quote that i always listen to when i start to wish i could go back and that is "forget regret or life is yours to miss" I live this way because i could wish that i could go back in time and erase my emotionally abusive relationship but then i just keep thinkng that it made me who i am today... It made me stronger and more suspicous of people... Just like in my poem on a dusty shelf... there are a few pages that i have torn out of the book i call my life but i still will remember them and if anyone ever wants to know about the ripped out pages i will share them for maybe with my words i could help someone else out...

this is a great poem... Good job!

[Kelly D. Burris]

Like the rhythm you have going here. Makes me long for days gone by...
Nice work here. The best part for me... such is life.....

If I had my way, I'd go back to the days
when I was a high school kid.
I'd have diff'rent visions, make diff'rent decisions
and change many things that I did.

[Starlit Scarlett]

I love the rhythm of this poem, it compliments the clever words. I also like that despite the doleful tone, you seem much more reflective than remorseful. This is very well-written. Thank you for posting it!

Its a very soulful piece. Lessons learned or to be taught to future generations? I really enjoyed this poem It had a nice rhythm to it.