Late Or Not (Poetry)

It is too late, too late, too late
to know now what I should have done
what’s lost is lost to this sad state
where evening’s weary life has come

The map has crosses all the way
those minor roads that led nowhere
when I had time — I had all day
but lacking wisdom and good care

I roamed from pleasant place to place
in search of what I could not name
some happy dream I failed to trace
till every sunset looked the same

From here to there and back again
as though embarked on youth’s crusade
to touch the moon, dance in the rain
and not regret those choices made

The years slid by but hope held out
for love’s elusive holy grail
that it existed I’d no doubt
yet every passing kiss would fail

the high-bar test of true romance
the heart’s wild flutter at his smile
I barely fell in love’s deep trance
that I broke free after a while

It did not hold me — not for long
my gypsy nature slipped its leash
some new road lured me — right or wrong
the roving spirit would not cease

At last Age settled for the best
that it could find — sweet compromise
the chains were gentle — home’s warm nest
a comfort faced with Winter’s skies

And yet I hanker, ache and yearn
I can’t deny that same old dream
the fire’s not out while cinders burn
who knows, who knows what might have been ..?

*****

It’s dark outside — Is it too late
to dress and pack a few dear things?
I’m through the door and out the gate
my heart grown light, my feet have wings

The night is black, the wind blows cold
I waver — will I go or stay?
Though some might judge me far too old
too late it’s not — I’m on my way!