::

I would have gone to bed when I was sick

instead of pretending the earth would go

into a holding pattern if I weren’t there

for the day

I would have burnt the pink candle sculpted

like a rose before it melted in the storage

::

I would have talked less, and listened more

I would have invited friends over to

dinner even if the carpet was stained, or

the sofa faded

::

I would have eaten popcorn in the ‘good’

living room and worried much less about

the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire there

I would have taken the time to listen to my

grandfather ramble about his youth

::

I would have shared more of the

responsibility carried by my husband

I would never have insisted the car windows

be rolled up on a summer’s day because my

hair has just been done

::

I would have sat on the lawn with my

grass stains

::

I would have cried and laughed less

while watching television and more while

watching Life

::

I would never have bought anything just

because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil,

or was guaranteed to last a lifetime

Anon.