Paradox

Wandering through my hard disk the other day I came across this poem I
adapted from prose some years ago.
It's appeared in various forms on the web and attributed to various people,
it actually dates back to prose that appeared in a popular magazine.
It struck me this list is getting a bit serious' lately, and maybe we should
all 'pick more daisies'.


Chris Swift

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I'd Pick More Daisies



If I had my life to live over again,

I'd try to make more mistakes next time.

I would relax. I would limber up. I wouldn't strain

I would be sillier than I have been this trip, and it would be fine.



I know of a very few things I would take seriously.

I would take more trips.

I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers and watch more sunsets,
leisurely.

I would do more walking and looking, and when I felt like it, do skips.



I would eat more ice-cream and less beans and broccoli.

I would have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones, less nightmares,
more dreams

You see, I am one of those people who lives prophylactically

And never gets involved in hair-brained schemes.



Sensibly and sanely hour after hour,

Day after day, prevention

Just waiting for the next shower

If I could, against the unexpected, I'd take an injection.



Oh, I've had my moments

And if I had to do it over again

I'd have more of them, life's precious fragments

In fact, I'd try to have nothing else, just moments, the essence of Zen.



Just moments, one after another

Instead of living so many years ahead each day

Allowing the present the future to smother

Instead of letting the present have it's say.


I have been one of those people who never go anywhere without

A thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat, aspirin and a
parachute.

If I had it to do over again, I would go places, do things, without question
or doubt

And travel lighter than I have, maybe even, just my birthday suit.


If I had my life to live over,

I would start barefooted earlier in the spring

And stay that way later in the fall, bare feet in clover

With each new day, with new sensations, would my senses sing.


I would play hookey more, I wouldn't make such good grades

Except by accident, 'Could do better' a compliment I'd crave

Life is what happens when all that education fades

Swimming free, in the pool of life, I'd happily bathe.



I would ride on more merry-go-rounds.

Wander round in mazes.

Trespass where it says 'Out of Bounds'

I'd pick more daisies.




Chris Swift (Adapted from prose )

Dedicated to Mary Brolly.