a childhood filled of abounding wonder
where amazement continues over and under
and thunder brings the child under the legs
and for candy and sweets the nuisance begs

a teenage time of endless trouble and change
in which growth is odd and strange
and rearrange the attachment to mom and dad
and keep a close eye on the changing fad

a grown up life of tasks to complete
to pay the bills, work, sleep, and eat
and meet the one to share in life with
and have a pair of babies, or a third, forth or fifth

an aged life where all the days count
braced in a walker for support and mount
and paramount to life is the brand new day
and joy to live, to breathe, and exist as it may

a life well lived is worth more than any treasure
in it, the expanse of memory for pleasure
and measure the heart of what you have done
and are you satisfied with race you have run?

-j.a.kays