Retrospective

by Sharon Scholl

Image credit: Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Having lived my might-have-been,

I have no lost dream to mourn.

I’ll always recall how it felt,

how it mattered, how it ended.

The full reward of choosing it is clear,

and the secret satisfaction of its end.

These might-have-beens can’t endure

the wearing down of a lasting life.

Their magic must fade in translation

from the way we wish things were.

to the way things have to be.

One life is not large enough for both.

***

Sharon Scholl

Sharon Scholl is a retired college teacher who convenes a poetry critique group and maintains a website (freeprintmusic.com) of original music and poetry for small, liberal churches.  Her poetry chapbooks, Seasons, Remains, Evensong, are available via Amazon Books.  Her poems are current in Third Wednesday and The Bluebird Word.