Correspondence

"You're songs seem to focus a lot on the topic of Regret."

The interviewer, young enough to be my daughter, smiled - awaiting a response.

Of course, they do. I thought to myself. What do you expect from someone who waits until a month after his 50th birthday to get serious about a music career? 

"Yes. I guess you're right." I said. "But I do try and infuse a good helping of 'hope' into the mix." 

I waited for the next question.

"Perhaps it's that combination that resonates so well with your audience." She said.

"So is there one 'deepest-regret' in particular that stands out from the others?"

I should have seen that one coming. I kicked myself on the inside. For a moment I sat, genuinely surprised at my lack of preparation.

"You know, I actually haven't really thought about that..." I trailed off with a laugh, hoping to brush it off, or at least buy myself some time.

The interviewer's  pretty head cocked to the side. Her eye's narrowed and her pleasant-but-closed-lipped smile sent the message to all the world - it was definitely still my turn to speak...

Imagine if he'd started earlier! That was the refrain that accompanied just about every review of my album. It had become the narrative that I was supposed to buy into; a tagline. But it wasn't my biggest regret. If I could change one thing - only one thing - 'starting earlier' wouldn't be it.

"Letters!" I declared. "I wish I'd written back."