The swing I sat on, when I was five,
Gave me the greatest pleasure.
I knew happiness as I swung,
Thinking life was leisure.
The wind rushing against my face
Promised that it would last.
Now, I smile, ruefully,
When I remember that swing from my past.
Life is cruel, just as it is kind,
(To be kind it needs to be cruel);
Love, happiness, honour and beauty
Are trapped in its unceasing duel.
I used to love with gay abandon;
Now caution dictates my every move,
In matters of life,
In matters of love.
I still wear my heart on my sleeve,
Though I try harder to shield it,
I have sharpened my brain with experience,
And I have learnt to wield it.
Years have passed and are passing still,
I have lost those I loved and some have lost me,
I have been touched and have been bruised,
Each caress and weal is stored in memory.
You see a part of me now,
Perhaps I shall let you see the other sides of me:
Perhaps you’ll see the boy, with the wind on that swing,
Perhaps the present or some future destiny.
Through all of your judgement know this,
Disregarding every shred of vanity:
You never did, never will or hope to know,
Any other quite like me.
Hearts Still Care 
Ahh, beautiful poem. I like the ending lines and I like the overall sense of life you project in it. Also, good use of rhymes: it is quite a difficult feat to write convincingly mature poetry in rhymes.
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I am glad you liked it, Ergo. Though I must tell you that this was just me wanting to construct something for those countless “about me” questions in networking profiles that one comes across inadvertently. So this happens to be the first and only draft of this poem. sheepish smile Thanks for dropping by my blog. :-)
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Vow! It is a very touching poem and also a nice piece of self expression. The last few lines are the best.
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I always feel hopeful whenever I read this poem ..It is a pure nostalgic with whirlwind of the present and sunshine of the future. . Always reminding me of that curious boy i was.. It feels like you wrote this on behalf of me .. Many many thanks for it . .
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Hi Harry, this is so nice a poem. I’m trying to reach you via insta. I hope u are getting the msgs. Do acknowledge the msgs.
All the very best for everything. Wish u loads of good times only.
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