The Other End of Life
by AedFinn
Age looks at Youth and says,
"You lucky one - with all this world of yours ahead,
With everything to conquer
And the power to make your dreams come true,
Why fred, the world is yours.
When you're old, you'll know then the burden of responsibility."
Youth looks at Age ...
A wise look with tolerance for Age.
Youth understands the problems in his life,
And how they tower higher than the clouds.
"Something was bright; it lighted the way
Then that just died and with it went my heart,
I can't go on that way.
What can I do?"
"My cares are vital, 'Carefree heart' indeed!
I'm desperate, this must be decided now and right!
For if I chance to fail my whole life hangs in the balance.
If I fail to make the right decision, then, what then?
I can't go on.
My magnificent plan is wrecked!"
"Love promised me at first sweet happiness,
And just disclosed what perfect joy could be.
Then laughed and fled!
She isn't here and life is a blank
What is left?
Why go on at all?"
"Your time stretches out like ribbons
Thorwn over the distant hills.
My time is vital here and now.
Why, do you know that in my life,
My life is youth, this might be all there is!
One bird note in a tree,
Enough to light eternity!"
"Why say tomorrow?
I have to have these things now!
Why plan? Age plans!
Youth doesn't plan, it lives and I must live.
Live and today the world is mine.
Something may go wrong with it tomorrow.
My world may disappear.
Who knows, maybe I won't be here.
That's my problem,
and you say 'carefree'?"
Age smiles again.
"Yes, I was there.
I know, I really do.
I can't forget
And there is something very fine
That lights the way beyond.
But life goes on, in spite of it all,
Life just goes on."
"Mistakes are made,
And on their graves we build again,
Again and yet again,
With another chance and another chance.
One day when you're at the other end of life
You will find a more peaceful self."
"Time does this for you.
Age has its compensations.
You won't want to live youth over."
"Take youth a little easier, my good friend,
These fretful days, the anguished dreams.
the disillusionment that comes with life,
It's just a part of the great plan.
It's the things that fit you for real life."
ŠAedFinn 2002
