© 2019 Barbara Grace Lake

When born you cried aloud
Not knowing life enchantment dawned
You could be mischievous or wise
Or both capriciously as one
The slate is blank, take up the pen
Compose the story of a life
Whatever follows it is yours

When 50, tears cascade
Unbroken flows from reddened eyes
For company dark sadness keep
Halfway through life you wonder how
Egregious barren youth was spent
T’would seem a time of trivia
But half the slate is still unwrit

Old woman dry your tears
Both long and full your days on earth
Mistakes were made along with gain
It was a life, you lived it well
You need not worry what you’ve lost
On balance life has given you
A slate replete with memories