I'd Pick More Daisies - A Poem by Nadine Stair

Our garden - a reminder of what's to come

If I had my life to live over

I'd try to make more mistakes next time

I would relax, I would limber up

I would be sillier than I have been on this trip.

I would be crazier.  I would be less hygienic.

I would take more chances.  I would take more trips

I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers

Watch more sunsets.

I would burn more gasoline. I would eat more ice creams and less beans

I would have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I am one of those people who lives

prophylactically and sensibly and sanely

hour after hour, day after day.

Oh, I have had my moments

And if I had it to do it over again, I'd have more of them.

In fact, I'd try to have nothing else

Just moments, one after another

Instead of living so many years ahead of each day

I have been one of those people who never go anywhere

without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle

a raincoat and a parachute

If I had it to do it over again, I would go places and do things

I'd travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefooted,

earlier in the spring and stay that way earlier in the fall

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

except by accident

I'd ride more merry-go-rounds

I'd pick more daisies.

by Nadine Stair, Age 85