Double Crossing Guard Poem by Bill Upton

Reality patrols the border of aging
As it always does,
Not allowing the frivolous pipedreams of youth
To muddy the water of mid-life,
Not permitting youthful invincibility
To have an infinite shelf life.
It chases down for capture
Elements of health and wide-eyed dreams of youth.
It mans toll stations
Denying entrance to prior victorious battles
While steering geriatric traffic to the yield zones.
Realism breeds frustration, contempt
With the knowledge that as days go forward
More game day faces and plans
Will involuntarily slip into plan B mentalities.
Aches and pains that once were distractions
Now become unfortunate conversation starters.
Former independent, daring thoughts and hopes and actions
Become lassoed-in by a conservative, safe new board of directors.
Yes, the line is clearly drawn
For the diameters, the parameters of youth.
It is a difficult and sentimental line to cross over,
And it comes with glass mountain climbing boots for rescue.
The border is the bitter pill we all swallow,
And we don't realize
How very difficult it is to digest,
How frustrating it is...
To defeat.