For lovely girls I dared not kiss,
Through fear of their rejections,
Who went and married lesser men -
I sigh.

These memories of almost-loves,
So clear except the faces,
Elicit pangs of loss and time -
I sigh.

Such poignancy for friendships past,
The arguments and clashes,
Desire to live them all again -
I sigh.

Of expectations, hopes and dreams,
That led to disappointments,
No time to do things differently -
I sigh.

Exasperations, failures, loss,
Though spaced throughout a lifetime,
Have left a wiser, sadder man -
I sigh.

The boredom of my hum-drum days,
Tomorrows and tomorrows,
Oh, yearning for a breath of change -
I sigh.

But now remembered - joyful times,
The loves, successes, children,
Outweigh regrets and with a smile -
I sigh.