How Soon It All Fades (Poetry)

So vibrant at first
a glorious hue
that glows with a light
untarnished and new
before the rot starts

Fresh out of the box
the novelty sits
eye-catchingly bright
you love it to bits
till colour departs

Then as the rose fades
youth’s passion dies too
and summer grows tired
the sky turns grey/blue
as sadly do we

Each gold curl of hair
soon loses its sheen
skin coarsens with age
the body’s machine
moves less easily

And that inner fire
that once sparked a thrill
can’t kindle hot flame
though smoke rises still
from old wistful hearts