Let me start….by smacking you upside the head
For all the silly things done and said
Let me continue with words of encouragement
You have not yet lost, what you have not yet met

You flew the coop, excited and young
A new-found freedom flowed through you veins
But, oh what a journey its been, times gone ****
And where, oh where my dear girl were your brains?

Never you mind, lessons have been learnt
Times experienced, both dark and light
Lessons leaving you better off, those that have burnt
Times that have been easy, times where you had to fight

Through the waters of life, you constantly waded
Sometimes sinking in the deeper depths of murk
Yet, though some of the memories have faded
Some do indeed leave you with that fond little smirk

So, to this contest as you post and procrastinate
Uttering words, some wise, some of rebuke
To show others something of what you would say
To a younger you, to avoid rumors of ill repute

So ode to I, tribute to you
Never grovel in the muddy puddles of times gone by
Go forward in all you say and all you do,
Practice kindness, passion and empathy on the fly

A few words to close, from me to you
Remember to always love deeply, truly, infinitely
Proceed with empathy and compassion in all you do
Overall allow your soul to fly free

with much love
Your slightly tethered, now wiser counterpart