The Ebbtide

And now the ebb tide flows, The end of all intentions, Hopes and energies Exhausted in submission to a greater power. Terms are struck And life relinquished To subside in age And reminiscence Of what might have been So many fine and fragile hopes Remembered with regret, Time seen for what it is, The grand opposer of all dreams. Long since potential fades In undistinguished shadows Of a passing scene With nothing left To serve An interest in life itself. Is emptiness The only aspect of this view To falter slow In meaningless events And shrivelled dreams of youth? The world seemed good Those years ago, Seemed full and generous In its possibilities, Yet dabbled in half-heartedly It turned And snuffed the candle-glow Of proud intent. The image fades To trace but faintly On the clouds of time The whims of youth.