A Year Ago

A day at the studio reminds me
that I have a long and very strange past.
Stranger yet is the year gone by,
started today, a year ago.
I reflect on my accomplishments and mistakes.
The roads not taken loom far behind in the rearview mirror.

A year ago, my only care was tamed aggression and a small brown object.
A year ago, I considered an option that would have left my spirit destroyed.
A year ago, I thought cool was a word that beared merit.
A year ago, ignorance donned the mask of mastery and decieved me.
A year ago, confidence was a gift I did not have.
A year ago, a second chance was granted to me.
A year ago, the peak had been conquered.
A year ago, I was invincible.

A year ago, I didn't know how good I was.
A year ago, I didn't understand my worth.
A year ago, no one had ever paid close attention to me.

A year ago, I had never disappointed anyone.
A year ago, I had never broken a promise.
A year ago, nothing had ever truly hurt me.
A year ago, no one had ever truly hurt me.
A year ago, I had yet to begin my crossing to the other side.
A year ago, I had never lost a friend.
A year ago, I had never felt a friend slip away.
A year ago, my pride had never been shattered.

This year has shaped me.
All my previous life experiences
prepared me for last year.
And this year will do the same for the next.

Maybe things the sun would have shined brighter
had I taken the other roads.
Maybe I would be farther advanced in other things.
Maybe I wouldn't have known pain.

But I know that my choices were all correct.
This is the best life for me.
No regrets forever.