For No Man

Relentless and pitiless and unforgiving Always taking from the living Second by second, day by day All of our lives slipping away Finite is our time here on Earth How many know Time’s truth worth? Only when the clock has nearly unwound Do so many finally come around To accepting that mortality is our Fate By then, of course, it’s far too late. Time should be cherished, appreciated Each moment of every day celebrated A moment passed cannot be regained Only as a memory can it be retained There are no second chances, no negotiations Time does not work to rules and regulations Once you have used your personal allocation It’s time to make room for the next generation When Father Time comes a’knocking It should not be at all shocking For we know from the very day of birth That our time is limited here on Earth So when you are drawing your last breath -- Face-to-face with your impending death -- Slip into eternity with courage and grace Be glad to relinquish your earthly space To a new soul who will write their own history And leave their mark on posterity. The Cycle of Life continues uninterrupted Constantly reborn, renewed and uncorrupted Time marches on with supreme impunity Which is how it always was and will always be.