Over Time and Chance
And all mean things that were done
By intent and happenstance
To me is that I have survived
And have endured, remained whole
And of good mind , have contrived
To arrive at the nether pole
Of my life unscarred but barred
Nevertheless from all vitality.For this body, mind unmarred
Can not penetrate, in this locality
Into the life where livelihood and sociality
Moves to and fro to make of life, totality,
And bestows a meaningful reality
To all things of casual existence.
Those years, scored into my face
Give witness to persistence
But in commerce seems a disgrace.
This victory, though seemingly complete
Masks the substance of defeat.