The Waning Years

Uncle Ben

The waning years left me lost tears

for brethren I have loved so long

Remember days of childish ways

 taste of life was sweet as a song

 

Winds that blew, as they always do

from youth I saw in my mirror

A pale gray face, lie in its place

 old folly of years grows clearer

 

I laughed and played, as youth had stayed

duty could wait, while time was free

Time was my friend, though in the end

pain overcame what life left me

 

Author's Note

So often is this truth that we all dread the knock of the door.
For life's time waits on none of us
it masters fate with earnest callous
Caring for none in favored mercy
helping not whom it shows malice
Let us not seek reward in the end for deeds we should do by conscience. Let us instead stive to be fondly remembered by those we love.

Reviews

[bluessadmood]

This is so lovely my friend,lovely and sad..but i think it should not be..or is it
years left so many tears,those days of childish ways
life taste both sweet and bitter,the winds always blew
and i always looked the mirror,see two faces young and aged
I laughed for youth made me look like a fool
thought life could wait and time was mine
a friend who always tricked me to the end
pain always was my friend..pain always stayed with fools
You dont know how I enjoyed this..this was so great writing
but i dont think its that bad..fools also enjoy their life..pity
lovely write..

[Epipsychologist]

I hope I never get to old to remember youth's folly. Good write as always Tate.

[joshua deathdealer]

*claps* an amazing reflective poem. Great song also..

[The Scholar]

Wow this was such a good write!
Time doesn't wait for anyone. It's like the Rascal Flatts said, "You treat life like a picture, but it's not a moment that's frozen in time."

Congrats on the contest win by the way! Very well-deserved. This is a meaningful poem with so many truths in it, and I really enjoyed reading it.

Don't mind if I shelve it, do you?

[EmpressPoetess]

Congrats for your win with this outstanding write, Tate!

[Arielle Ann]

the greatest mystery-"we all know we shall leave this abode,but yet we cant comprehend it"...nicely done :)

[Thea Fuentebella]

what an ending...:) i've seriously missed reading clever and sensible poems such as this one!

[Art Sun]

Age...that door is waiting for everyone who lives Tate...we look back and can grasp those youthful moments, the body withers as time carries us onward into the setting sun...I wish to grow old but without pain...this can be accomplished with a youthful spirit...nice work on this poem my friend...keep your mind young.

[Andy Ruffett]

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15395

Because I could not stop for Death

You've probably read the poem, I just thought of mentioning it. So live every moment like it's your last.

[Tina Kline]

Time is not kind to those of us of the living. It steals away our youth, our health and our strength and leaves us broken, sad, regretful, hurt and lonely and makes us glad to die. A very sad but true poem. Great job.

[Amila Jay]

Wow, this is a beautiful poem, i really liked it:)