Present Tense by Jason Lehman

Present Tense (a poem by Jason Lehman)

It was spring, but it was summer I wanted,
The warm days, and the great outdoors.
It was summer, but it was fall I wanted,
The colorful leaves, and the cool, dry air.
It was fall, but it was winter I wanted,
The beautiful snow, and the joy of the holiday season.
It was winter, but it was spring I wanted,
The warmth and the blossoming of nature.
I was a child, but it was adulthood I wanted,
The freedom and respect.
I was 20, but it was 30 I wanted,
To be mature, and sophisticated.
I was middle-aged, but it was 20 I wanted,
The youth and the free spirit.
I was retired, but it was middle-age I wanted,
The presence of mind without limitations.
My life was over, and I never got what I wanted.

* Jason was 14 when he wrote this poem. It was published in a Dear Abby column, on February 14th 1989.

I first heard it a cre:ate 2010 when Lucy Swindoll recited it. I’ve been inspired this week to reach for my dreams like I’ve never reached before.