Old And Young Poem by robert dickerson

Once my heart was like a swing
it sent me laughing to the sky
each arc the former furthering
my laughter rang to heaven high.

The day was in the glad sunrise
The elm was in abounding song
The hedge was thick with butterflies
The night was short, the day was long.

But now my star is in decline
The elm, that lyre, all unstrung
Day is short and night is long
Marrow-bitterness is mine.

And how my happiness is gone
And where, and why, I cannot say
But dirges now begin my day
And sorrow turns the bed-sheet down