Both Sides Now Poem by Jim Yerman

I was a young 15 year old boy
when Joni Mitchell wrote and Judy Collins sang ‘Both Sides Now'.
Their song has enjoyed a long and illustrious ride…
Now, as a 70 year old man, I realize…I have looked at life from both sides.

I've looked at life through the eyes of a child
surrounded by music and art….
a life where everything was new, and wondrous and beautiful…
where I saw only with my heart.

I've looked at life through the eyes of a man
no longer that chid…pure, and innocent and carefree….
where sometimes clouds would block my vision
and make it difficult for my heart to see

I have looked at life from both sides now
with innocent eyes and when clouds enshroud my heart
and I have learned just beyond the clouds…
life is filled with wonder…and beauty..and art.

Which, now that I am older, leads me to behold:
If our heart sees that beauty when we're innocent and young
and again despite the clouds when are more experienced and old.

Think of the beauty we could create…
a life filled with wonder and beauty and art…
If we could only see beyond the clouds…
between our younger and older heart.