Youth And Age - A Meditation (Poetry)

If ever as a child I’d known
which things in age I’d grieve for — miss
and think on daily — quietly groan
for what’s long-lost — I’m sure of this

that born more wise I would have saved
those chances squandered — thrown away
quite unconsidered — blindly waived
as though there’d never dawn a day
I’d find life changed — the world moved on
such opportunities all gone...

It’s easy looking back to see
how youth believed itself immune
to ever growing elderly.
But years weighed heavy all too soon
betrayed by the sly looking glass.
The future that once stretched ahead
shot by — became the dim-lit past
and all I dreamed of — wished for — planned
trickled fast like shifting sand...

It is a sad and chilling truth
Age isn’t feared enough by Youth.