IF NOW, THEN

by Roger W Hancock

Oh, to be young again to have the knowledge I now posses. Oh, again to have the energy and agility that now by fading youth eludes my body. The body age with aches and pains but the mind although memory occasionally slipping still remains full of youthful creative mischief. I find experiences and life lessons have culminated with youthful vigor of mind to see what could have been if only then…when I was young… I knew what I now know.

If within my youth a wise old man to have been a friend, to pick his brain of his life’s wisdom, not to wait for mine to age. Youth energy, youth enthusiasm, combined with wisdom aged, an unbeatable combination. Too bad the two fail to understand the other, the youth rebellion, the aged not listening treating youth as a useless waste of life’s energies. If I had listened then to old my insecurities may not have controlled my inaction to speak my mind. A leader I could have been to lead my generation into a more thoughtful path. Oh… if I knew then…

Now in age seeing life more complicated, everyone with a dream, but future dream to live life now considering tomorrow’s path. Living life for what I can get, selfishness prevails when I fail to introspect and consider other’s needs. Society changes when without thought to stamp on others thinking of self. My generation failed to define a cause beyond the selfishness we now see perpetuated by government entitlements the poor remaining poor begetting poor becoming an industry. If only then, what I now know.

I have learned the sword of pen to be a mighty weapon in our diverse society. Letters to the editor to voice opinion, as good as any others. I write to elicit thought, to agree or not is not the answer sought, but for purpose, consider fact, consider truth. It has taken this old man with regretting thought nearly half a century to take responsibility for even a meager role in society. What effects could I have constructed if when young I had done the same. If only then the maturity I am now beginning to grasp to have been within my hands back then… when I was young.

Roger W Hancock © 11-2-2002 www.FoolBay.com