Reflecting Time Poem by Frederick Nellist

Unkind reflections, the mirror lies
A face once young now in disguise
Youthful visions still occur to me
My eyes are clouded I cannot see.

Alone with guilt but gone has guile
As I recall living my life in style
My childhood friends long gone away
Only their ghosts come out to play.

So much to do and many songs unsung
Misty names on the tip of my tongue
Familiar voices at times bring tears
Ancient echoes falling on deaf ears.

I cannot recapture what once was me
Footprints have vanished, none to see
I'll not tread old pathways any more
Don't think I could cope with an encore.

What say you mirror as you stare at me?
You often saw me on my mothers knee
Do you not recall me when I was young?
An innocent child time had not stung.