Youth

How shallow is youth
To think a line would represent the end

Covers fade from red to rose
No more than this

Mind and heart still beat in cherry blood
as we observe the truth,
in dead calm of our feebleness

Tarnished yes …
But with strong hide and lingering child

Mined richness,
the pioneers, teachers
who’ve lived with strength, and breadth
through blustery days,
yet now gather dust,
as culled library books,
still longing to be read

Sometimes … yet sometimes
Glimpse an elder,
Centre it,
and taste life’s aging wine

Withered skin, and slowing pace… radiance,
inwardly, outwordly draw
a deeper .. omnipotence
… elegance,
softness of speech
grace