Reflections On Growing Old Poem by Steve Coetzee

Life ebbing into darkest night,
precious moments forever lost,
fading in the dimming light,
now the time to count the cost.

Once the conceits of youth
were thought to outwit age.
Belated realization of truth
too late the outcry, the rage.

What was once so vibrant
slowly sliding into decay.
What was once so distant
coming closer everyday.

Through the declining years,
the increasing torment,
the realization of fears,
the minds slow descent.

What would come about first
residing in the body wrecked
or would it be the more cursed
the slowly enfeebled intellect?