Editor of Diaphragm – Mykolas Steponavičius – takes a deep yet satirical look at the ongoing life lessons we continue to learn in his most recent poetry piece.
I am older.
I have seen much more
But now I am lost in this new day and age,
Where things are going astray
With no regard for my time-proven wisdom.
I am younger.
I haven’t been spoiled
Don’t you know the future is here?
May the fossils be washed away
And let there be rock.
I am a man.
I look back with joy
To the times when you could just say:
“Listen up, girl,
And let me tell you how the world works”.
I am a woman.
I try not to insult
And keep reminding myself:
Carry on through the troubles of day,
It could always be worse.
I am a fighter.
I have gone through hell
I envy my fortunate friends
But lecture them on the virtue of pain.
I am a lottery winner.
Yet I seek to rebel
And turn every nuisance mundane
Into a political issue.
I am an achiever.
I settle only
For the greatest of things
Better reach for the stars
Than gaze at them still.
I am a loser.
I seek comfort
In the sole fragile truth:
My efforts in vain
And destiny sealed.
I am a villager.
I have heard it all
While not having been around
I am sure, there is no place like home.
I am a traveler.
I have seen it all
And I am eager to show
How miserable your lives
Against the riches of Oz.
Cover photo: Ativ Srivastava on Flickr
