If I had to do it again
I’d have held on tighter at the beginning
And let go sooner at the end.
If I had to do it again
I’d have tried harder to be good
And run faster when I failed.
If I had to do it again
I wouldn’t have hunted men for money
And wouldn’t have traded money for respect.
I’d have fought harder with Dull Knife
And quit sooner at Fort Kearny
Been stronger in Tascosa
And quieter in the desert
And
I’d have married the first woman I loved
Or the last woman I cared about.
I’d have danced longer
And regretted less.
I’d have gambled more . . .
Shot straighter . . .
Rode faster . . .
If I had to do it again
I’d have told him what I knew
And made him hear it.
If I had to do it again
I’d have stood beside him
All the way
And not
Rode away in the night.
If I had to do it again
I’d have changed my name
And become someone bigger
I’d have learned to read better
And written more poetry.
I’d have tried harder to understand women and horses
Shot more sheep and fewer buffalo . . .
Talked more . . .
Whistled less . . .
If I had to do it again
I’d do it again.
Please, let me do it again.