As We Grow Older Poem by RIC BASTASA

as we grow older
we give way to the new:

younger promising faces
we welcome them
and give them
a toast, a warm shake,
a sincere cheer

technologies that
we do not easily understand
yet we have to embrace
lest we be left out in the corner
of the mute and the blind
and the deaf

yet deep inside
our confused hearts
we still
keep our simple ways
our cherished loves and
human affections
our precious memories
of loves gone by
and loves forever
kept like gems
of gold and diamonds
inside our
treasure boxes

there are those
few that we do not compromise
something divine
inside our heart and mind
for without them
we are but leaves
blown easily
by a light wind