If You Could Turn Back Time…

Mia Winhertt

If, by some magic,
You could turn back time,
What would you change?

A situation,
A word,
Or an act?

Another person,
Many other people,
Or yourself?

If, by some magic,
You could turn back time,
Would you relive it?

Stay there a little longer,
Stay silent some more,
Or stay the same?

See them again,
Hear them again,
Touch them again?

If, by some magic,
You could turn back time,
What would it make you?

Plain happy,
Downright depressed,
Or crazy scared?

Would you call it luck,
Its lack thereof,
Or just a dream?

If, by some magic,
You could turn back time,
Would you?

87 thoughts on “If You Could Turn Back Time…”

  4. Someone shared something with me a while back that said something to this effect: people looking back usually want to change something small from their past because the little things had more effects on their present and future lives.

    I’ve lived from one embarrassing moment to another most of my life. I’ve heard this question before and I honestly don’t think I’d want to change any of it because I’d be a different man today. Would you want to change anything?

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing that with me too, C.D. It is true.

      It’s really nice to know that you appreciate whatever life has thrown your way. And hey, who doesn’t have embarrassing moments? 😅

      As for me, I’d like to change a bit here and there. But nothing big because when one looks at the big picture, eventually everything turns out for the good. 🙂

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      1. I don’t want to revert back or turn back anything. What I feel is that whether pain or joy, it is better lived once only. 🙂
        But, that’s just my opinion.

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      1. I was thinking and wondering while reading… I don’t know, but I could say something, for instance “a situation”, “myself”, “stay silent some more”, “touch them again”. It all makes me wander in thoughts. Thank you! 🙂

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  7. Beautifully written Mia….but I won’t change anything….life is perfect filled with imperfections….that’s the way I learn….if I won’t fall….how would I ever learn to rise….turning back time won’t lead me to fly high.

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      1. There are certainly things I would change, but I have grown in self-compassion over the years, so no, I wouldn’t turn back time. In regards to re-living moments, that it difficult. Some memories are a gift for that very reason.

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  10. Though I want to say yes when it comes to some aspects, I do believe that everything happens for a reason. Practicing gratitude in the present, honoring the past, but keep going forward with what is nourishing. So I will say no, I wouldn’t change anything.

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    1. An extremely profound response, Katy! I can’t agree more with you on the fact that everything happens for a reason. Also, I really like the line you followed it with. I must say that you are on the right track! 🙂

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  15. ♥️ assuming you know my answer ♥️ and, yes, I read this while listening to Cher sing ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’ 😊…thanks for all the nostalgia today!!

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    1. I think I know. It’s your mother that you would want to see once again. ❤❤
      (I really hope I am not wrong. Just in case I am, I profusely apologize.)

      Also, thank you so much for your time and kind words, Doree. 🙂

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  18. Most interesting, Mia!

    See, I did turn back time. That really idiotic response to your poem? I just went back and “unsaid” it!

    Wait, you still can see it? Man, this is embarrassing.

    In the 18th century the French invented a phrase, “l’espirit de l’escalier,” or, “staircase wit,” realizing the perfect response mounting the steps back home, merely minutes too late.

    In that limited sense, how many of us don’t wish we could go back fifteen minutes, to supply that sparkling response at precisely the perfect moment? The bigger things, though? Not so sure about that one. Yes, there are situations I wish I had handled differently, and opportunities I missed.

    Ultimately, though, what profits us more? Going back and “fixing” the situation, serving ourselves laurels on a platter, or learning from the mistake, correcting course, and anticipating a better response the next time? Not only that, but inviting accomplishment to augment the victory.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind response, Keith! 🙂

      I think that you are on the right path. You realize very well that it is the future that we still have a hold on. So we make the most of it. The past is a lesson to go by in the future.

      Also, thank you for the note on the French phrase. I like learning something new. 😊

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  23. Absolutely, I would … new retrospect for those lost moments in time would allow me to let them evolve into new forms of gratitude. I am grateful for so much in my life, and I would go back in a second to recapture many of those missed moments to express that gratitude to those that should have maybe heard it at the time. Another thought-provoking work, Mia.

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