The Third Wind

1st wind, childhood 2nd wind, jobs, career 3rd wind, elder life. ___I___ Many do so wonder... After exhausting what there is in business Politics, love, conviviality, work, and so on Mostly all ‘people’ stuff... What makes life now, worth living? Especially... as so many have found None of the past answers finally satisfy Or permanently wear well, into now, wiser elder years. Where loneliness... prospers As past fades on job’s distant shores Wiser now in Time. Time not truly known, for standing still. ___II___ So does the discontented Muse, Curiosity Sitting on its now, quiet bench, ask... “What does remain?” That being its consistent refrain To most remaining songs. “What remains?” It sings to the stars in heaven Will I join in? “Ah, you ask well”, sing the other Seven Muses, instructing Opening past archives, containing old dreams Lighting up the firmaments. “Nature remains”... As the heavens erupt manifesting Diverse life forms forgotten… Igniting imagination ‘When I was a young man’. ___III___ Then showering the curiosity’s of bench sitters With stories of more, open clear airs Those far from the trimmed trees Grassy fields, and manicured parks. Farther even than the old Gods And their changes of seasons While new singing begins. Songs better tracking the changing Sun by day And the Stars of heaven by night, as if new. Bringing to the fore again, things thought past Finished in old photo albums as forgotten, done. For still, many waken curious… like me Smelling the potential changing airs Old energies rising, as memory's liven ‘Yes, we had other dreams… long ago.’ ‘Surely’, energy’s sharpen... ‘It could not be that distant.’ So too, do we finally rise under Curiosity’s wing Taking sail on strange boats. Through the many days Up and down, marking each their hours. ___IV___ So do the minds sail their curious new courses Partnered as they are with like kinds. With each weighed anchor leaving swirling trails Showing the world what the bottom had, to follow With still attached new dirts and sparkles of treasure. While highest birds flew singing their new tunes too Marking well in verses, where they found best treasures lay. As all followed the piper, sounding loud… Upon his own owned creaking deck. “Hearty ho, away we go Stout sailors man the sails Full or trimmed. For after going around the Capes Only then, it’s home, it’s home, we go again.” ___V___ Then, when last port does come As sure known, its day believed arriving The ship driving its last weight Upon the deep receiving sands... All go ashore, regaling the world To any that would hear… ‘Look what we saw, heard, tasted, and feel’. While thunderous waves soften Caressing each other into Finally lapping the shores softly, sighing... ‘Take what we too leave behind For though each takes their lightest waters They go wise, knowing… theirs is not ending Circling, only to come back richer again. With strange birds landing in trees Ready to teach The young where they now are free to go... ‘If you dare Only if you dare.’ ___VI___ With all this learning more Coming to their new homes Built on such old foundations... So many smile with broadening understanding Nevermore leaving Curiosity completely alone. ‘Where do other freedoms lie…’, Muse sings softly Among so many now, curious choices. While Time passes it’s echoes on, in song and dance And in breathing free Understanding fully, the last ship sailing Might be the best of all. Leaving Muses singing better verses How to better grow the fields of men... So in future sailing... wiser be.