Even if
I could move back
some steps into time
it would not make any difference  

I know myself too well

with the same pulse
my heart would beat
my thoughts being imbedded
in my brain's hardware
would assert their dominance still

nature is to me
more potent than nurture

I would once more
draw from my language-well
the same vocabulary
every word is wired
to my psyche
and nothing new
would I enunciate

how I deceive myself:
I would have been a better person
sounder decisions I would have made
much more would I have achieved
my mistakes I would have avoided
in greater esteem would I have been held
yes, how much happier
would I have been

after-thoughts
are from the weak
in will and this is me

even if
I could move back
some steps into time
I would have gained nothing

in my full nakedness
I know the true person
that I am
nothing else
nothing more.