Remembering a Younger Poet

I was bold and arrogant back in the day;

Too big for my britches my mother would say.

Living my life at full throttle,

Motorhead while pickling inside of bottle.

I had to be that man, to appreciate who I am now.

 

I was self-centered and an egotist;

The important things in life I missed.

Spending my time trying to make a buck,

And generally, not giving a … care.

I had to be that man, to appreciate who I am now.

 

Drinking my liver into submission,

Not knowing of my mental condition.

Writing my lines and hiding them away,

Games with death I’d willingly play.

I had to be that man, to appreciate who I am now.

 

As time wore on, my body wore out,

Change was coming without a doubt.

No longer burning the candles at both ends.

Changes of scenery and of friends.

I had to be that man, to appreciate who I am now.

 

Now I live a more reserved existence,

And achieve my goals with steady persistence.

No longer thinking of life as a race.

Enjoying the time and thrill of the chase.

I had to be that man, to appreciate who I am now.

 

I don’t regret my days of the past.

When my fate to the wind I did cast.

When memories come back and try to trick,

I look back and think I was a … jerk.

I had to be that man, to appreciate who I am now.

 

I am happier now with my growing age.

And these new chapters as I’ve turned the page.

Embracing the me that I have grown into.

And think to myself really who knew.

I had to be that man, to appreciate who I am now.

 

01/07/2025

 

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

yep! totally relatable Sir Underhill. a certain amount of rebelious, wild, irresponsible youth can give us the push we need to leave the nest and find out who we are; but .. too much is just too much .. sounds like, at least you and i found out soon enough to keep us from permanant damage. i think i would like to be your neighbor Todd ... we could shoot the breeze over coffee ... swap stories :) i think this is a strong, meaningful story .. i can't tell you how much of me i see in this poem .. and i am ever so grateful for the changes happening still in my life .. i finally heard the small voice and tap on the shoulder by Jesus Christ through His Spirit .. i was looking in all the wrong places .. i am still trying to conform to changes that turn me more into the man i am meant to be and this trip .. is so way better .. peace and joy and thank you for sharing
E.
ps. changing friends is paramont .. lots of wisdom in your lines too, says i

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I don't regret any of my younger days either...they brought me to this person I am now....and I am okay with me...I appreciate all the experiences and people who helped me get here.
This poem is a mirror for many of us.
j.

[Poetic Beauty]

Life and the lessons learned along the way help shape us into better people in the long run many times. No regrets because we need those lessons to learn and grow