“43”

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5,

4, 3….

Today I turned 43.

But, I don’t feel any older

Than I did yesterday.

As I take a long pull from my wooden pipe,

I start to think about all the hearts I have broken…

Lives that I destroyed back in my youth.

It’s no wonder why karma is such a cruel mistress.

I recall the day she first showed up.

Dress all torn, hair all a mess.

Two birthdays ago she just walked up to me,

Told me that she was here to collect a debt,

And immediately I knew, I knew exactly why she was here.

I had known for years that this day would come.

So I accepted what came my way.

Today on my birthday, I stand before you, broken but humbled.

Looking back I regret a lot of things,

But I know that all of that is in the past.

Nothing I can do now to change it.

I lost a lot, hurt a lot, cried a lot…

Now that I am another year older, I can only reflect,

And move forward with a more positive outlook and direction.

© Mauricio Rincon 2020