A Commentary On The Speed Of Life Poem by Reginald Reid

THE SPEED OF LIFE

Astronomers talk of the speed of light.
They never mention the speed of night,
The dark time that moves both fast and slow
As we travel a path that we feel we know,
Where the thief steals away our precious time
And no one complains that this is a crime.

From the womb we emerged with so much to learn,
We had years ahead we had time to burn.
Days and years to spend in exploration
With a great fascination for fresh new sensations.
Weeks turned to years as the hours were discounted,
Vivid memories were made and stories recounted.

Games brightly played and laughter set free,
Times spent in tears for what's not meant to be.
Running and jumping and waving and splashing,
Arms and legs all alive and wildly thrashing.
Insatiable appetite for food and for knowledge.
Yearning for meaning, unsatisfied in schools and in college.

Fervently we challenged the system,
Striking out like a steam driven piston.
Rampant hormones driving our passion
Demanding justice and rights and free self expression.
But there were diversions, peaceful loving interludes,
Intimate quiet times, and moments of solitude.

We had breath and strength, vigour abounding,
Love and anger that set our hearts pounding.
We knew excitement and joy in life.
Then found our weaknesses in the face of strife.
We learned the curse of a poor cash resource,
The dreary tedium of a tried old workhorse.

We experienced joy and pride in tasks we completed,
Enjoyed pleasant meals when with friends we were seated.
Treasured the laughter of the small children,
The secrets we shared, the sadnesses hidden.
Relished the roles that we played for entertainment.
Celebrated with friends all our best attainments.

Time races on fast through the night.
The days are all gone - now a distant sight.
The young will assume there will always be more
And question those who have gone on before.
What's wrong old man why so forlorn?
Well, just a moment ago is when I was born.