It was spring, but it was summer I wanted,
the warm days, and the great outdoors.
It was summer, but it was fall I wanted,
the colorful leaves, and the cool, dry air.
It was fall, but it was winter I wanted,
the beautiful snow, and the joy of the holiday season.
It was winter, but it was spring I wanted,
the warmth and the blossoming of nature.
I was a child, but it was adulthood I wanted,
the freedom and respect.
I was 20, but it was 30 I wanted,
to be mature, and sophisticated.
I was middle-aged, but it was 20 I wanted,
the youth and the free spirit.
I was retired, but it was middle-age I wanted,
the presence of mind without limitations.
My life was over, and I never got what I wanted.
~ Jason Lehman
Jason Lehman wrote this poem when he was 14 years old. He sent it to Abigail Van Buren who verified Jason’s age and ran the story in her column “Dear Abby” on February 14, 1989.