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This poem is part of the contest:

A Poem To Your Childhood Self

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Retrospection (A Poem to my Childhood Self)

Paradoxical it seems
To write a letter to myself
My virile younger version’s dreams
Prematurely put to shelf

Carefully I’d choose my words
So as not to steer astray
Failures that once seemed absurd
Made me who I am today

Of course, you’ll never lose them all
In retrospect you’re way ahead
With victories, you will stand tall
A heart in hand consoles the head

So…I’d advise, just do your thing
Lessons learned from lesser years
Take your drugs and dance and sing
Do ALL the things that got us here

About This Poem

Last Few Words: I’d just tell that young man to carry on. If changing anything deviated my fate to somewhere other than where I’m at at now I’d advise against changing anything.

Style/Type: Structured: Western

Review Request Direction: What did you think of my title?

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft

About the Author

Region, Country: U.S.A., USA

Favorite Poets: Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Walt Whitman. I’m enamored by the work of lyricists such as Robert Hunter, John Barlow, John Dyer Baizley, and Tom Marshall just to name a handful.

More from this author

Comments

Geezer

Geezer

2 years 9 months ago

I agree...

with much of what you've said, however, I think that I would have counseled my younger self to be a little kinder in some respects. I was not always the nicer guy that I am today. There are mistakes that I made that most likely would have changed where I am today, but I don't think that certain instances would have changed my life all that much, and yet might have meant a great deal to some. Anyway, I do agree that what and where you are today was brokered by what you did in years gone by. Good work! ~ Geez.
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Rosewood Apothecary

Rosewood Apothecary

2 years 9 months ago

Kinder

Well we could always be kinder, truer words don’t exist, but you can’t learn that without hurting people and some never do learn it at all. I’m glad you came around though, I’m pretty fond of your commentary and depth.

Tim

Geezer

Geezer

2 years 9 months ago

Thank you...

Sometimes, I have to caution myself that my comments should be more about the poet and his/her work and not a remembrance of a situation or happening of my own, after all; it's supposed to be about the poet, not me, so I am glad that you look forward to my commentary. ~ Geez.
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Lavender

Lavender

2 years 9 months ago

Retrospection

Hi, Tim,
"...dreams prematurely put to shelf." I imagine we all feel this way, at least a bit. Wise words to your younger self throughout!
Thank you!
L