Write a poem as a letter to a former version of yourself. Make that fact clear in the title. For example it could be called “Dear Former Self” or it could be much more specific such as “Dear Caitlin, Age 19 with the Broken Nose”.
The poem itself can focus on your past self or the future that is coming for it, or something else entirely.
I love this concept.
Just As You Are
Dear Sandi, as a teenage dreamer
the first man you love is not a keeper
the art school path was just passe
instead a four year college may
Win a better job today
You need not look like models fair
a thousand calorie diets beware
you’re imperfect, but never fear
weight is not the problem, dear
How you look it matters not
back then you’ll see what you now ought
that diets don’t work, no matter what
just three meals a day
and overeat, do NOT.
Learn from errors, love carefully
be the kindest you can be
linger not in past or future
wasted time is all a blur.
Just live for today, and may
you always pray and stay
reminded always of this tome
so when someday when wrongs go then
just start anew, begin again.
-Sandra Johnson, 6/22/19