On New Year Day, my friend pastor Mark Shupe spoke about happiness at Cherry Hills Community Church. He shared the following poem, which has an interesting backstory. Jason Lehman wrote it when he was 14 years old. His relatively young age is even more amazing when you read the poem and consider his perspective. He sent it to Abigail Van Buren who verified Jason’s age and ran the story in her column on February 14, 1989. I am interested if anyone knows Jason Lehman or what’s happened in the intervening years of his life. We can be grateful to him for this wise reflection:
Present Tense
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.What did you think of this poem? Can you believe it was written by a 14-year-old? Please feel free to share your thoughts with me on Facebook and Twitter as well as in the comment box below.
Wisdom and insight that many never achieve. Somehow sad that it came from one so young. I wonder if he ever found what he was seeking when he wrote this.
Jeremiah 1:7
….Say not I am a child…, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
I think that sums it up! Thank you for listening, Jason.
I clipped Dear Abby’s column of February 14, 1989, out of the OC Register. She had received the poem from Jason’s grandmother, Irene Lehman, who told her that he lived in New Haven Conn. Abby telephoned Jason before printing it. She told him that she planned to print it, so if he did not compose it, to please fess up or the repercussions could be embarrassing. Jason assured Abby that he was indeed the author. Jason Lehman was 14 years old at the time. I hope Jason Lehman is still writing poetry.
I love this poem; it is very challenging for all ages. Wisdom beyond years.
God promises only what we need while Satan makes empty promises for what we want. Jason was so insightful to look beyond his years and witness his seniors forlorn and discouraged because they were looking in all the wrong places.