Looking Back
by Edgar A. GuestI might have been rich if I'd wanted the gold
instead of the friendships I've made.
I might have had fame if I'd sought for renown
in the hours when I purposely played.
Now I'm standing to-day on the far edge of life,
and I'm just looking backward to see
What I've done with the years and the days that were mine,
and all that has happened to me.
I haven't built much of a fortune to leave
to those who shall carry my name,
And nothing I've done shall entitle me now
to a place on the tablets of fame.
But I've loved the great sky and its spaces of blue;
I've lived with the birds and the trees;
I've turned from the splendor of silver and gold
to share in such pleasures as these.
I've given my time to the children who came;
together we've romped and we've played,
And I wouldn't exchange the glad hours spent
with them for the money that I might have made.
I chose to be known and be loved by the few,
and was deaf to the plaudits of men;
And I'd make the same choice should the chance
come to me to live my life over again.
I've lived with my friends and I've shared in their joys,
known sorrow with all of its tears;
I have harvested much from my acres of life,
though some say I've squandered my years.
For much that is fine has been mine to enjoy,
and I think I have lived to my best,
And I have no regret, as I'm nearing the end,
for the gold that I might have possessed.
TikTok star Dixie D’Amelio released a new single “Be Happy!” The sister of popular TikTok star Charli D’Amelio, Dixie created the song during social distancing. The social media star first teased the track earlier this month when she posted a video of herself singing it a Cappella on TikTok. The clip quickly went viral racking up over 16 million views and over 125,000 comments within the first 24 hours. Dixie wrote the upbeat tune while social distancing amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “Sometimes I don’t wanna be happy/Don’t hold it against me/If I’m down just leave me there let me be sad.” The song is catchy and fun and really honest.
Getty Images/Entertainment/Monica Schipper
“I felt connected to this song immediately,” Dixie said of the single. “I wanted to share the honesty of this message with others, especially those around my age. I remain so grateful for the people that surround me and the opportunities I’ve been given, but some days, as we all know, it’s not easy to be happy.” Dixie said she hopes that “anyone who listens can be reminded that it’s okay to feel what we feel. It’s okay to have a bad day. We all have them and you are not alone.”
Dixie worked in a virtual studio with producer Christian Medice, who has worked with P!nk and Halsey. “I don’t think there are enough songs in the pop world that speak openly about mental health,” Medice said. “I love the fact that it’s a serious, catchy pop song without sounding preachy or corny.” The song was co-written by Medice, Sam De Rosa and Billy Man.
“Be Happy” marks Dixie’s first time ever recording.