Forever Dawning At 82

 

Born in '44, while the world was war-torn, 

Nurse and sailor's first child, I’m born.

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At one, a typhoon struck our hut and roared— 

I caught Mom’s thrill—her love of storms evermore.

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At three, snow mixed with sugar and delight— 

We three together, an icy treat so white.

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Hi, Eighty-Two, just passing by...

Ahead are endless open skies.

Led on by curiosity,

Just see its luminosity!

​

At four, through the wall, their quarrels wouldn't cease— 

I lay helpless, aching to bring Mom peace.

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At six, no homework, and no shame in a "C"— 

"Children need to play," she set me free.

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At ten I said, "Mom, I think Dad’s mad."— 

She just replied, "I know, it’s sad."

​

Hi, Eighty-Two, just passing by...

Ahead are endless open skies.

Led on by curiosity,

Just see its luminosity!

​

From twelve I sought: farmer, preacher, healer, math? 

Ten years I searched to find my life path.

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At twelve I watched my parents give us kids their all— 

I decided then, “I'll do without,” and that’s my call.

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At fourteen in '58, Carnegie gave me the key— 

My love of arguing had cost me company.

​

Hi, Eighty-Two, just passing by...

Ahead are endless open skies.

Led on by curiosity,

Just see its luminosity!

​

At fourteen I chose my own eclectic way— 

Learn from all, cull the chaff and make my own hay.

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At nineteen, Kinsey's research truth I’d see— 

Masturbation guilt since twelve, now finally free.

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At twenty-one, I dodged the war's own call— 

Marine Reserves to beat the draft, not my brawl.

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Out of the stars and the swirling unknown, 

A being appeared who need not be alone— 

Reality opened her mystery wide, Come step inside — 

I'll be your witness and guide— 

Forever just dawning, we marvel, we rise— 

Astounded and open beneath boundless skies!

​

At twenty-two, two hundred dollars in my hand— 

To New York City, my new life would be grand.

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Just twenty-two, taking a kind stranger’s hint— 

IBM hired this dropout—my career to invent.

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At twenty-four, I freelanced, learned COBOL fast— 

Met a deadline—then five years a retainer did last!

​

Hi, Eighty-Two, just passing by...

Ahead are endless open skies.

Led on by curiosity,

Just see its luminosity!

​

At twenty-six in 1970, my first love came late—

The last man learning women — but then it’s great.

​

At twenty-nine, I often loved more than one— 

A vasectomy made polyamory even more fun.

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At thirty-two, Branden's Intensive changed my life— 

Reowned my child—now life was easy without strife.

​

Hi, Eighty-Two, just passing by...

Ahead are endless open skies.

Led on by curiosity,

Just see its luminosity!

​

At thirty-five, I left NYC's fourteen-year hold— 

NLP with Bandler called me to Phoenix's gold.

​

At thirty-seven, Louise walked into my frame— 

Landmark's Forum, too, fanned inner flames.

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At forty in '84, I helped Mother leave the man— 

Forty-one loveless years — freedom was her plan.

​

Hi, Eighty-Two, just passing by...

Ahead are endless open skies.

Led on by curiosity,

Just see its luminosity!

​

At forty-three, I traded code for soul— 

Coaching people, not machines, a brand new role.

​

At forty-nine, my time with Louise softly ends— 

Then Yuko-san arrived — my love ascends.

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At fifty-one, Sapporo opened my eyes wide— 

Japan called to me — there to reside.

​

Out of the stars and the swirling unknown, 

A being appeared who need not be alone— 

Reality opened her mystery wide, Come step inside — 

I'll be your witness and guide— 

Forever just dawning, we marvel, we rise— 

Astounded and open beneath boundless skies!

​

At fifty-five, passion had faded twice, friends we part— 

November fifth, 1999, Tokyo, my new life to start.

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At fifty-six, a Shanghai opened my eyes more wide— 

There cheaper, freer — there I'd newly reside.

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In four years, seven hundred pages the Courage book I wrote— 

At sixty in Shanghai, my life's work to promote.
 

Hi, Eighty-Two, just passing by...

Ahead are endless open skies.

Led on by curiosity,

Just see its luminosity!

​

At sixty-six, Shanghai's nine years reached their close—

Kunming's Spring City called—my life there newly flowed.

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At sixty-eight in 2012, Kaitlin, lover turned friend— 

Love of my life, passion for twelve years wouldn’t end.

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In 2018, at seventy-four, AskDwightHow.com in place— 

Two thousand essays now — a lifework embraced.

​

Hi, Eighty-Two, just passing by...

Ahead are endless open skies.

Led on by curiosity,

Just see its luminosity!

​

At seventy-nine, Da Nang ranked best in the world—

 Every city I've known, this one's like a pearl.

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At seventy-eight, ChatGPT arrived, lit the flame— 

AI supercharged my ideas — the future's not the same.

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Eighty-two in 2026, my life’s always unfolding— 

New ethics here, my truth for the world I am molding.

​

Out of the stars and the swirling unknown, 

A being appeared who need not be alone— 

Reality opened her mystery wide, Come step inside — 

I'll be your witness and guide— 

Forever just dawning, we marvel, we rise— 

Astounded and open beneath boundless skies!