A Lament of Aging

When I was small,
even minutes seemed to last,
but now I walk the hall
of years that passed:
Days now are like moments then.

It used to be that memories
were clear and thoughts familiar,
but today even a friendly breeze
brings remembrance tainted with fear:
In future days what will I still remember?

In youth it's easy to learn;
in later years simpler to forget,
and so in early years we yearn,
but what we worked so hard to get,
becomes the hardest to retain.

Thus it is that the young do not
appreciate the reminiscences of the old.

Wisdom can’t at stores be bought,
so only in ignorance can youth be bold.


G. Douglas Clarke
August 22, 2004