When You Are Old Poem by Shalom Freedman

WHEN YOU ARE OLD

When you are old
You already know
That all the plans
To keep everything alright forever
Are not going to work

When you are old
You know changes are coming
You cannot anticipate fully
And do not want

When you are old
You know you are not wholly in control
Even of your own small life

When you are old
You know and have seen too many
Greater and wiser and better than yourself
Fall

When you are old
You know
You alone are not going to be the exception

When you are old
You know
Before you know it
You will be gone.