by 
“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” Happy Birthday to You!
If you get another chance,
don’t try harder and longer
don’t shoot for perfection
forego known stresses and strains
Throw caution out with the trash
make mistakes and skip Mass
giggle at everything or nothing
be a champion risk-taker
If you get another chance
eat lots of birthday cake
laugh out loud and
cry when you need to·
Kiss the earth and hug the sky
travel as light as you can
coddle your feet in sensible shoes
never ever live without a cat
If you get another chance
savor the beach and its sands
get high on the scent of bread baking
swim at sunrise and dance at dusk
Be sure with another chance
to take more lovers
make more babies
and never marry or tarry too long
if you get another chance, be the youest You!
© 2011, Jamie Dedes
Originally published in Brooklyn Memories
Jamie Dedes. I’m a freelance writer, poet, content editor, and blogger. I also manage The BeZine and its associated activities and The Poet by Day jamiededes.com, an info hub for writers meant to encourage good but lesser-known poets, women and minority poets, outsider artists, and artists just finding their voices in maturity. The Poet by Day is dedicated to supporting freedom of artistic expression and human rights. Email thepoetbyday@gmail.com for permissions, commissions, or assignments.
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Recent and Upcoming in Digital Publications Poets Advocate for Peace, Justice, and Sustainability, How 100,000 Poets Are Fostering Peace, Justice, and Sustainability, YOPP! * The Damask Garden, In a Woman’s Voice, August 11, 2019 / This short story is dedicated to all refugees. That would be one in every 113 people. * Five poems, Spirit of Nature, Opa Anthology of Poetry, 2019 * From the Small Beginning, Entropy Magazine (Enclave, #Final Poems), July 2019 * Over His Morning Coffee, Front Porch Review, July 2019 * Three poems, Our Poetry Archive, September 2019
“Every pair of eyes facing you has probably experienced something you could not endure.” Lucille Clifton
Jamie Dedes' THE POET BY DAY Webzine 
I like this, Jamie. I think it comes pretty close to life in old age if all goes right. These are the things we have control over and can mitigate the sorrows of aging.
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But I will forego the making of more babies. I’ll let grandchildren do that for me.
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🙂
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happy birthday, doc. his books ring true for all ages =
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They certainly do, Beth.
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