~74~ Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Nothing before,
One ages to become '74'.
Can be described,
What that feeling is like.
To achieve and realize,
Not a second of it...
From a distance to watch.
Or sat to await,
For this age to arrive.
With a wealth of memories,
To reminisce as if...
Being blessed to age,
Is serious business.
And self examinating,
How time given to evaluate...
The experience to appreciate.

Chances to risk,
Adventuring to face...
The unknown to explore.
More of life.
Beyond the opening,
Of familiar comfortable doors.
With faith to test.
Without feeling regret,
To take those steps.
Fearing mistakes to make.
Can only be expressed,
Is no way for anyone...
To celebrate life.
Although I must admit,
In my youth.
Of having those days,
Asking myself if I was crazed!
To have a mind unafraid to face,
Challenges and obstacles...
That seemed place on my path.
Intentionally to chase me away.
And there I stayed.
Acting brave.
With knees to tremble.

Too fast and quick,
Time comes to pass.
And hesitating to procrastinate,
Does not slow down...
The time one has.
Yet aging to think about,
Forever remaining young...
To do dumb stuff to continue,
When one finally reaches 21.
Then 31 comes.
Followed by 41,51, and 61 too.
With a mind that becomes,
To wisen up.
Leaving one at '74'.
Knowing enough of stupidity,
Is in need no more to explore.
And confessing,
What one has done...
To achieve that 'wisdom',
That eventually comes.
No one who has reached '74',
Would recommend,
Being ignorant as possible...
As the best and only way,
To accomplish it.
With a pretending to know,
All there is about everything.
When that is impossible to do!