The Regrets Of My Youth Poem by RIC BASTASA

During those early days
of youth
when we were so vibrant
and energy-filled
we, upon the advice of
those experts of
emotion,
suppressed, what made
us so alive

our kicks are halfway
eyes not widely open
our hands timidly kept
inside our pockets

we could have done much
better
spreading our seeds
and see them grow on
the different sides of
the hill

we are at a loss now
age has arrived
bringing all the goods
which we can no longer eat
all the excitements which
we can no longer bear

i regret, i could have
run against the tide,
i could have evaded all
those masters of
emotions,
i could have run like
a child
on those long shores of
my youth
i could have made my
deep dives to the sea

i have not seen the corals
i have not gathered a clam
i have not touched a mussel
not even seen the famous
basket of Venus
deep deep down in that
voluptuous sea.

Liars! Oh those liars of
my youth!
You have triumphed
and tricked me into
this pit
of unwanted unhappiness.