Poetry by Diana Raab
The morning’s alarm sounds,
your copper-colored poodle scratches
on glass door—
time for his morning pee.
With phone in pocket,
you sprint to kitchen,
a voice says, “make a U-turn.”
You giggle and wonder
if your phone spouts nonsense
or your universe messages.
You press your brain
for answers and can’t think
how you would
have done anything differently.
You step onto the past’s path,
think about when you rolled out
of your adolescent bed at thirteen,
face covered with pimples,
not a dime to your name
and how you stole a skirt from Bloomingdales.
You ponder Thoreau’s words
that to regret deeply is to live afresh.
You wonder how many
have regrets and want to start over,
like your 95-year-old mother
who hopes staying alive
will give her another chance
to erase mistakes.
The doorbell chimes.
It’s a reminder
to begin your day.
Diana Raab, MFA, PhD, is a memoirist, poet, workshop leader, thought-leader and award-winning author of 13 books and editor of three anthologies. Raab writes for Psychology Today, The Good Men Project, Sixty and Me, Medium, and is a guest writer for many others. Read more at dianaraab.com.
