A Moment In Time

A fleeting moment in time,
Is all I need for this rhyme,
Perhaps 10 minutes, no more
Sit in your armchair, close your eyes,
And to your utmost surprise,
Your life flashes past like an express train,
Happy moments with unimaginable joy,
Horribly sad ones, like the day
I lost my baby boy.
Where does each year go, life is greedy,
And definitely always needy,
Progress demands youth takes over the reins,
What will become of us,
Next week you or I are forty,
And in a decade we will be fifty,
Birthday cards sent to us, 
Inappropriately witty,
You’re on the downhill now sis or bro,
You have to settle for second best,
Along with all of the rest.
You work you slog, but at sixty five
You are retired, what to do with each day,
Such a drag, but we all love poetry,
So we will never be solitary.
Soon we will be 3 score year and ten,
Our lifetime over, says The Book of Psalms
Psalm 90 verse 10, this is an older translation.
Today’s verse 10, has been adapted 
Into many a version.
We wonder, how did we become so vulnerable,
We reach eighty,
And then ninety,
We could have dementia, our minds quite muddled
The way forward, every day a sad venture,
Or we could be arthritic or have Parkinson’s, 
Chronic pneumonia, had an accident and
Broke our back,
At this age the cards stack,
Against us.
One day we can’t breath, rushed to hospital,
The family, children and grandchildren abound
No regrets, life has been profound,
We heave an accepting sigh,
As a tear rolls down from our eye, 
Have we any regrets, is this that
Moment in time, you, means all of us,
And we and us, means as it does,
So you, us and we,
Means also my and me.
My husband, also sick, whispers, let go 
My love, I’ll see you soon.
He lies next to me,
I feel cold, the clock strikes three,
It is mid afternoon,
Finally, my spirit leaves my spent body,
Hovering above my bed,
I wish I could tell them hey, stop crying,
Life is a journey,
And so is dying.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Lindley Avatar
July 22, 2023 at 7:34 AM
My good friend, this is a profound poem, imho. Verses that speak volumes and also stir your fellow poets imagination. A definite fav and a true pleasure to read this morn. God bless.
Baker Avatar
May 3, 2023 at 10:07 PM
I enjoyed reading your thoughts of the stages in life, Jennifer. Especially the ending ... "Life is a journey, And so is dying." So true, my dear friend. Write On! Hugs, Bill
Lawrence Avatar
March 30, 2023 at 4:35 PM
A deep dive … a poignant journey so wonderfully interpreted by you dear Jennifer . So many wonderful lines, thoughts, images and emotions at play here. Thank you for your mind and heart so well expressed! Blessings and hugs, Susan :)
George Avatar
March 28, 2023 at 9:15 PM
What profound broodings on life. Every line of it draws a picture of each stage and phase of life. We all are coming to the worthless end of life. But there is no cause for regret. If born, one day we have to die. It is the unwritten code of life. Let us make the remaining years happy and be ready to start the next journey anytime, we are called. "but we all love poetry, So we will never be solitary." So true. With poetry we can keep ourselves happy ! Great Poem, dear Jenny !
Beaufort Avatar
March 27, 2023 at 3:22 AM
Life does go by fast. Indeed it does. We have our own variations on it all, but we do all die in the end. It's not all that terrible, just a bit sad. I suppose it's more of an issue for those we leave behind. Not too many people are willing to talk about it. So, thanks. It's all a finite journey.
Dietrich Avatar
March 24, 2023 at 12:39 PM
Such a great way to look at it, Jenna. It will truly be a glad day for the oldster who is suffering. We almost should be celebrating death in those cases.
Mcconnell Avatar
March 20, 2023 at 4:44 AM
Great penning Jennifer with lovely imagery and insightful line of thought too. Trust alll is well with you, just back from week in the sun in Furenventura which was great. Blessings,Gordon x
Ricci Avatar
March 17, 2023 at 4:58 AM
Jennifer Jennifer Jennifer. Good Morning. I will not touch this gorgeous entry. It has all poetic elements attached. And yes, the emotive factor is ever present and felt. You do free verse proud to which be proud of your creation and execution. It was an honor turning to your page this morning and seeing your work once again. Truly. Have a beautiful day. Thank you for sharing your poetic talent. Love and Blessings always. (smile)
Callus Avatar
March 11, 2023 at 9:46 AM
What a long journey life could be, and yet, when we reach ripe age we cannot but wonder how it went by in a flash! You look at life with wide-open eyes, Jenny, knowing that this journey has to come to an end at one point or another. ~ Warm regards, hugs and blessings, my friend. // paul
Kaufman Avatar
February 28, 2023 at 7:54 AM
Hi Jennifer, You did write an insightful poem on the passage of time. Forty seems so young to me now as both my kids have surpassed that age. I think most of us get so caught up in our daily routines that we often forget we are primarily here to grow spiritually and few know for certain when our bodies will be recalled.
Salehi Avatar
February 25, 2023 at 5:09 PM
Hello Jennifer... I know exactly what you mean... but without death, life is meaningless.
Andresen Avatar
February 22, 2023 at 7:31 AM
- Death feels like a cold blast from the unknown ... although we all know that death cannot be avoided - A tender but also powerful poem, dear Jenny - hugs
Messina Avatar
February 22, 2023 at 5:10 AM
Life is short we must cherish every day like it is our last. Fantastic write, Jennifer. Really well-written :) Hugs Charlie
Tor Avatar
February 21, 2023 at 11:45 PM
Time is to be cherished we have a limited amount with the ones we love. Your narrative is heartfelt Jennifer. xoxo
Chuuk Avatar
February 20, 2023 at 3:46 PM
This is just magnificent.
Babcock Avatar
February 20, 2023 at 9:30 AM
That is a reflection of life captured in this wonderful poem. Time does go so quickly and your poem brought tears so well done. A reminder to not waste time as life is precious. love phyl
Kendrick Avatar
February 20, 2023 at 7:32 AM
Yes, death is a journey which we all will take unless Jesus calls His bride the church home and we will be in that number. Thanks for sharing this one with us and for dropping by my page. Sara
Cunningham Avatar
February 19, 2023 at 11:53 PM
You captured the everyday moments of life well in your verse Jennifer, time goes by so quickly for us all, so never waste a second and enjoy every minute of it. Tom
Wolf Avatar
February 19, 2023 at 4:17 PM
Magnificent chronicle of life, death, and the journey afterward, Jennifer. Bravo, Gershon
Kiser Avatar
February 19, 2023 at 3:51 PM
We think about things like this as we get older; we also come to realize that every day, every moment's really a divine gift. Beautifully crafted thoughts on life and death, though death is really a celebration of new life.
Buhagiar Avatar
February 19, 2023 at 12:23 PM
From birth to afterlife. Such is our destiny. Lovely poem.
Poet Avatar
February 19, 2023 at 10:09 AM
Amazing, Such a treasure, Jenniffer. Your meaningful and intelligent thoughts encourage us all through life and prompt us to contemplate many components of it. Wonderfully written Jennifer. I hope you are well.
Sands Avatar
February 19, 2023 at 8:11 AM
Your profound words take us through life and make us think. Well written Jennifer. I hope you are well. Take care:)
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