I wish I met you
before I knew better.
I wish I’d first seen you
before I was woke.
I wish I had knowledge of you
before I found wisdom
and understanding
and I got
just how much damage a taste of you
would do to a wastrel like me.

I wish I had gotten a chance
to experience you
before I had to cut out such experiences
and keep the crazy in my life
to the absolute bare minimum.

I wish I hadn’t gotten too smart
to limit danger
and dangerous influences.
I wish I was still young enough
to think you wouldn’t tear me up
break me down
send me to some burning deep.
I wish I didn’t know any better
or could forget
long enough to regret every minute of the ride.