Safe, sorry or

I never step on cracks in the sidewalks

But I didn’t have the fun of the air balloon ride with Sister Thomas More

I never put salt on my food

But I have never tasted exotic cuisine

I never made eye contact when riding the subways

But I missed the experience of riding in a helicopter

I read every printed word I can find

But I never graduated from college

I spend hours on the computer

But my posse of friends remains small

I never learned the Tango

But I do or did a relatively reasonable Congo

I was never a blonde

But I have had a lot of fun

I find it difficult to lie

But I remember distinctly the few I have told

I have always voted

But sometimes I regretted my choices

I never served on a jury

Because I find guilt a difficult word

I never had a pet

Nor have I ever wanted one

I fell in love

But only once

I thought I couldn’t do many things

I learned I could

I thought I would never forget

And I haven’t

I believed some things were impossible

I learned nothing is

I thought I would learn not to be afraid

It hasn’t happened

I thought most pilgrims I encountered were good

And I learned I was right

But I sometimes wonder if I should have learned the tango.