WHO WAS THAT GUY?

I look back now at age fourteen,
when life was but a rollicking dream,
when the world was adventure building,
when action films were still thrilling.
As I see him there in my mind’s eye,
I can’t help but ask,
who was that guy?

I think back now of age eighteen,
sitting in college, confidently thinking
that life was now a celebration,
with no more childhood limitations.
Life was nothing but a licentious ride,
I can’t help but think,
who was that guy?

I remember back to twenty-three,
when injustice would not stand, you see,
but If we got our guy in office then
a new chapter would start for all men.
But utopia was always pie-in-the-sky,
I can’t help but wonder,
who was that guy?

I recall when I was twenty-six,
when finding a lover seemed the fix.
I knew I’d find 'The One' out there,
when all was right, she would appear.
But things don’t happen if you don’t try,
I can’t help but say,
who was that guy?

I believed when I was thirty-one,
that I’d found a wife, and thus I’d won,
thought with the foundation now in place,
it would be a smooth-running race.
Why think this? I can’t say why,
I can only ask myself,
who was that guy?

And now I stand at thirty-five,
not even half-way done with life,
recognizing not what I used to be,
but knowing still it all was me.
In forty years, after the time flies
I know I’ll still be asking,
who was that guy?