The Life I Never Led

I've never talked back

I've never slept late

I've never sat down

When told to stand straight

I've never let go

And gone with the flow

And don't even know, really, why

I've never asked questions

Or taken a dare

I've never worn clothes

That might make people stare

I've never rebelled

Or stood up and yelled

Or even just held my head high

And all of the feelings unspoken

All of the truths unsaid

They're all I have left

Of the life I never led

I've never gone surfing

Or ran with a crowd

Or danced on a table

Or laughed much too loud

I've never quite dared

To leave myself bared

I've just been too scared I might fall

I've never seen Paris

Swum naked

Been kissed

I've never quite realised

Just how much I've missed

And what did I get

For hedging each bet?

Another regret, and that's all

And all of the wishes unasked for

All of needs unfed

They're all that remain

Of the life I never led

And now

Now that you've given me one

Little taste of it

And now

Now that I know what I know

Well how

How can I go on ignoring the waste of it?

After all of the years

That I've clung to my fears

Won't you help me let go?

Help me let go!

I want to be brave

I want to be strong

I want to believe

I'm where I belong

To stand up and say

I'm seizing the day"

To not just obey, but to choose

And I may not surf

I may not see France

But I want to know

I still have the chance

And maybe I'll make

A painful mistake

It's mine though, to take or refuse

And all of the doors yet to open

All of the rooms ahead

They're beaconing bright

Scary and new

But I'm standing tall

And I'm walking through

What's gone may be gone

But I won't go on

Playing dead!

It's time to start living

The life I never led