Time Was Meant For Them Poem by Thomas Noel Smith

Reflections of life,
Images in mirrors…
People’s faces
Reflections of who they are
Who they were
Who they have become.

Time flees quickly,
From those who never thought
Time was meant for them.

Imitations of life
Staring with limpid eyes
Into the past,
To see the present.

And the future’s already written…
In yesterday’s newspapers,
And never discussed in polite company.

Wisdom’s found in the creaking
Of rocking chairs
On screened-in porches….
That sway in rhythm
To the beating of aged hearts.

Old voices dull to monotonous hums,
Their laughter muted.
They remember when life was young
.
Anxious eyes look at the gathering clouds.
Tomorrow’s yet another day
Where fear hides in the shadows
And waits…grinning

What sunsets wait
Beyond the day,
Beyond the night?

Will there be other porches
Upon which to sit
After the sandman rocks
Old hearts to sleep?