If I could do it all again,
I'd tell myself things weren't as bad as they seemed.
Youthful beligerence and blissful ignorance co-mingled,
Clouding my vision from the truth; that things actually were quite well,
That I should have stayed put.

If I could do it all again,
I'd tell myself to understand life is hard.
Had I actually been so naive to think others hadn't experienced the same?
Had I really brushed aside sage advice in favour of adventure?
How childish.

If I could do it all again,
I'd tell myself it would be the biggest mistake of my life.
I'd say not to be entranced by pretty smiles or frequent laughs.
True happiness is not measured this way, and in the end, happiness is all that matters.
True happiness should never fade.

If I could do it all again,
I'd tell myself to do things differently.
Not to listen to those who tell you cactus weed and darkbrew are life's cures;
That life is better without structure, without work, without reason.
That this is a hard path to leave once you've started on.

If I could do it all again
I'd do it all a different way.
I'd trust my brain rather than my heart, I'd guard happiness with my life.
I'd understand lfie is not as simple as it seems when you are 18,
And that you can't just do it all again.

Penned by my hand on the 6th of Valnuary, in the year 745 AF.