If I Were A Young Man Poem by Merle Steinmann

Would I kiss every pretty girl I meet?
Would I dance every dance?
Would I sing and play every song
as well as I could?

Would I not speak some of the words
I have spoken?
Would I speak some of the words
I have not spoken?

Would I do work I've left undone?
Would I not do some of the
things I've done?

Would I call back the bombs and missiles
I have sent?
Would I give back the lives
I've caused to be taken?

Would I ask for proof
before believing?
Would I offer proof
before teaching?

Would I do everything
of which I am capable?
Would I right every wrong
that I know of?

Would I stand up for
everything I believe in?
Would I believe in
all of things that I stand for?

Would I give all to those
in need?
Would I take all from those
who would give?

Would I hear the words of
those who speak them?
Would I see with eyes
that are always open?

I will never be a young man again
but I still might do some of these things.