A birthday poem I wrote while sitting in my recliner at 3 a.m.

Published on 20 February 2026 at 19:05

With all these memories and no do-overs

An earnest glance in my rear-view

I see the places I left, some people I knew

I left some hurt and some pain there, too

I see joy and laughter, and some sorrows

And I see the worries I had about my tomorrows

I see my skint-up knees and salty tears

Wonderful triumphs and surprises, and some fears

I see some happy moments throughout the years

There are some jealous moments, too, and lessons learnt

A few heartaches and some bridges I burnt

I see newborns and funerals, some blessings and grace

I see a good life lived, and some disappointments I faced

And some things I hoped for, so long ago, misplaced

But what makes this life of mine worth living

Is the love, the receiving, and the giving

God gave me this day to enjoy His splendor

To be wiser and add more things to remember.

I look in my rear view, and this is what I see

Still, I am happy. Happy Birthday to me!

-Toretha Wright (2026)