Promptly 4, 5 and 6

Reflection

Reflection

And I should speak of age as it once was
a thing to be grasped and honored
wise in the ways of the world and heaven
free forever of the enthusiasm of youth
with its wild roller coaster of passion
and with a story to tell at last.

It’s not as if anyone told me.

How did I miss the betrayal of the body
this slow disintegration to pain and frailty?
Too eager was I to reach for the prize
of settled convictions and blessed insight
unaware of the failing motivation
in a being too tired, too weak, too sick
to claim the dream of ambitious morning
with twilight dimming the sight.

It’s not as if anyone told me.

Nor is it worth complaining on arrival
I have worked too hard for this
and a lifetime has its laurels though unexpected
for nothing is wasted and the light
still welcome though it shine upon elsewhere
and a better home to come.

It’s not as if anyone told me.


Line count: 23
Free verse
For Promptly Poetry Challenge 6, Week 4
Prompt: The Bop form. The first six-line stanza introduces the problem, the second eight-line stanza expands upon it, and the final six-line stanza explains the solution or failed attempts. There is a repeated refrain line after each stanza.