I don’t want to live forever
but I haven’t had my fill yet
of seeing how things turn out…
I don’t agree with John Betjeman
saying “I wish I had had more sex
but I wish I may have
many more connections…
I won’t know till it happens
whether fear of the present
and future or just plain
tiredness will mark the point
where I am ready to let go…
I know I would have more
on my retrospective bucket list
than many people, though others
might have done still more but
it’s never enough – I don’t want
more money except to do more…
I don’t agree with Edith Piaf
– I’ve done things I wish I hadn’t
lost touch with people I shouldn’t have
had questions I never thought to ask
activities I never tried – heights, sights
and strangers that will never now take
my breath away, it’s too late for some things…
Je ne regrette rien…
Andrew Wilson, 2025
Over at dVerse Poets Pub, Björn Rudberg (brudberg) in Meeting the Bar: Critique and Craft, invites us to use Negation – outlining something by saying what it is not…
If we don’t regret anything we have never reflected, but we should never dwell and get stuck in what we should or shouldn’t have done.
Agreed…
I’ve read this twice and am amazed by how it resonates. I’m in a similar place; you’ve captured it very well.
I have often pondered the title of Edith Piaf’s song and found that I can’t agree with it Kim, but I always look forward rather than dwelling on the past – who can say what is yet to come…
A wonderful poem, Andrew. It is hard to live without some regrets, but living in the now is what makes it best.
I won’t know till it happens
whether fear of the present
and future or just plain
tiredness will mark the point
where I am ready to let go…
I think it will be the latter!
I think so too Dwight – glad you enjoyed it…
I’m a Frank Sinatra “My Way” kind of woman. Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention. Your poem resonates in a wonderful way, Andrew. Cheers.
Thanks Helen – yes I agree with that – I can live with the mistakes they are vastly outweighed by the rest…
” heights, sights
and strangers that will never now take
my breath away, ”
exceptional lines Andrew
Thanks so much Laura, I always value your judgement…
Edith Piaf is singing now in my head. 😊
I agree with you. To have no regrets, I think means to have not reflected on one’s life or how you treated people or they you. (I can see the song as empowering though.)