John's new poem is an excellent example of why I love his poetry. - poetheart 04/27/03
Maybe I'm too morbid,
Or so I have been told.
And is it a fixation...
This thing with growing old?
While I am no longer young-
Maybe I have spurned,
The gain that comes with aging,
The wisdom I have learned.
I've found that I am mortal-
And mortal bones can break.
There are some things I will not do,
Some risks I will not take.
I've learned to slow my pace a bit,
And stop and smell the flowers.
That minutes spent to contemplate,
May save me wasted hours.
I've learned that looks don't make a man,
Much less his counterpart.
The only treasure one can keep,
Is lodged deep in his heart.
That memories are precious,
And far outlast our friends...
And memories stay with us-
While often romance ends.
Perhaps I ought to be content,
That I have lived so long.
Forget the years and where they went,
And sing a sweeter song.
Perhaps my body's given-
All it had to give...
And in the time that I have left,
I'll use it well and live.
by John R. Yaws