The Life I didn’t Live

Memories are the record of the life I’m living;
I wish they could all be amended;
I started out wishing; rather than giving;
till all my dreams were upended.

I started my life; with lofty thoughts, aspired;
wanting all, whom I loved, to be proud;
now, reached an age, where most have retired;
in heaven, they must be laughing out loud.

The emptiness I have, is only one measure;
of the loneliness and sorrow I feel;
but, lifting spirits of others, brings pleasure;
and life is very different; and surreal.

I had elaborate plans of an imagined future;
circumstance and destiny got in my way;
my heart, three times broken; needing a suture;
a new dawn granted a brand new day.

I can’t accept credit, for a life I didn’t live;
tho fallen trees; blocked my path;
in my journey, I understood why we give;
and, it’s all about love; not wrath.

The peace I once felt; when I was young;
only tears; not words; could describe;
but when I saw what I had to overcome;
only faith would help me survive.

I am so thankful for a life I didn’t live;
had I lived it; I’d long ago been dead;
instead of success; I’ve learned to forgive;
and accept what I’m given, instead.

Monty   1/17/23.   # 1,421