That Daunting Journey

That Daunting Journey © 2003

Each one arrives with fluffy skimpy hair,
Frail weak and helpless, dull and unaware;
And on the hour needing constant aid,
Each day he wakes to watch the sunshine fade.

To paddle this unfeeling earthly realm,
Five years or seventy at life’s grueling helm,
Amass and store much fleeting earthly wealth,
To meet an end that stalks his days with stealth.

But for a while, man frolic and he plays.
Long summer hours, so he passes days;
And soon the sun plays havoc with his sight,
Gives way to autumn’s swiftly fading light.

Already blows life’s melancholy push;
Man’s helpless and can’t dodge that final swoosh.
His failing parts play fast their last good-bye.
Life’s guileful chills bid all his trudging die.

And once again, it’s back to skimpy hair;
Now with a droop, he saunters every stair.
Frail muscles barely now support his bones;
His semi-curled up tongue slurs all his tones.

Full circle now back at the starting point,
With painful blisters in his every joint;
There’s nothing here to do again but wait,
And face that hour that is each one’s fate.