BOTH SIDES NOW

 

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. 

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