If I Had My Life to Live Over- by Tasleem

If I had my life to live over,
I would spend more time at coffee shops,
And less time worrying.
I would read more novels in bed,
And kiss deeper.
I would think less
and feel more.

I would prance around in my pyjamas in the morning
and lay under the stars at night.
I would look you straight in the eyes when we speak,
and I would shed more tears in front of friends.

I would touch more hearts,
give longer hugs,
and spend more time holding my mom’s hand.

If I had my life to live over,
I would get more massages,
give more passion,
and smile with an open heart.

I would take deeper breaths,
inhaling all the life and love around me.
I would play more with my niece,
twirl her around just to hear that laugh, so sweet.
I’d sit at the dinner table with family,
and share more secrets with my brother, just him and me.

If I had my life to live over,
I’d lean my head on my cousin’s shoulder,
play with her hair the way she used to do with mine,
and write about our adventures in Gastown and Kilimanjaro.

I would wake up to Corinne Bailey Rae
and sleep to Sade.
I’d spend the day feeling John Mayer’s
Heart of Life… so good. I know it’s good.

If I could live my life over,
I’d give India Arie the poem I wrote about her,
And confess to that guy how crazy I am about him.

I would contemplate Rumi each day,
and learn about the Sufi ways.

I would use this voice,
and not just in the shower.
Got to sing my own song,
Ain’t that right, Joss Stone?
I love that one where you bluntly admit
that you’re just so damn tired of his shit.
Your laugh and the line “that’s a keeper,… bitch!”
have to be the most liberating bits.

Go, Jossy!
If I had my life to live over,
Yah, I would be that bold and saucy.

And I would dance, dance, dance
-tango, salsa and blues…
I’d dance every dance.. maybe country too,
as the rhythm of life in me grew.
And once it reached me deep in my soul,
I would touch everyone I know.
I would become Miss Midas
-turning hatred into hearts of gold.

If I had my life to live over,
I’d let my body surrender
to the blowing of the wind.
-with the trees I’d sway.
I’d let oceans guide me,
Carefree
-a fluid spirit among the waves. ©

(Following Bombeck's and Stair's examples in the two previous blog entries below, I decided to write my own If I Had My Life to Live Over poem. I suggest you try it too. It's liberating. These poets wrote their pieces in old age and sickness. Maybe we can learn from these two ladies by looking at what really makes us happy and makes our life worth living NOW, so that we do not have to look back and imagine how we WOULD have wanted to live).