My Life to Live Over

I’d like to make more mistakes next time.  I’d relax. I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have been this trip.  I would take more chances.
I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I’d have fewer
imaginary ones
You see, I’m one of those people who live sensibly and sanely
hour after hour, day after day.
Oh, I’ve had my moments, and if I had it to do over again,
I have more of them.  In fact, I’d try to have nothing else.
Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day.
I’ve been one of those persons who never goes anywhere with a
thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute.
If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances.  I would ride more merry- go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.
—Nadine Strain