Contemplating Another Birthday (Poetry)

How swift another twelve-month passes —
we green and yellow with the grasses
stretch out small hopes towards blue sky
that greys and darkens by and by

We cannot know what seasons bring
nor change the weather following
our fates long-written in the stars
we strive to own a life not ours

Some distant power pulls the strings
and we’re not privy to such things
that shape a future out of sight
down paths that twist through day and night

Forever onward we are led
quite blind to what might lie ahead
perhaps the best that we can do
is find some hill and drink the view

We may lose faith as trees lose leaves
when luck deserts and death unweaves
the fabric of our fragile lives
and yet somehow the heart survives

Old age creeps on — the numbers climb
there is no dam can hold back time
we contemplate and nurse our ills
but celebrate — and sod the bills!