ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

One Lifetime
© Ron Boughton Oct. ‘24.

So distant now, those old school days,
when visions of anticipation,
were far horizons to appraise
enhanced with unmapped expectation.
But now in times, when time it seems,
with stealth, has snowballed, rollercoasting
through many years of unfilled dreams
as those old days, come ‘round us ghosting!

For changing times we must accept
and matter not in bliss or sorrow,
to be prepared to be adept
for no-one knows what comes tomorrow.
And as we learn from knowledge past
the seasons change and keep revolving
and this old world will us outlast,
along with quests of problem solving.

Awareness comes thus to the fore
and becomes, somewhat uninspiring,
with closing of that final door
when, good old mates we see expiring.
And then we ask the question why
In good times or when melancholy,
when looking to a starlit sky,
what are the answers …to life’s folly!

Hi Ron

I really like that one and it has a great rhyming pattern to go with-it.
And I know what you're saying mate as well, going through a similar stage of life myself.
Running out of earthly friends, and once it starts there's no stopping it.
I also reckon old 'Henry' might have saw a bit of himself in your writing as well.

It's been a while Ron but was worth waiting for.

Cheers

Terry

Yes, I really like this one too, Ron. I've gone down the same line of thought with my poem in regard to change - it is difficult but inevitable, and it is particularly hard when we lose friends along the way. As well as this, I particularly like how you've included these oh so true words:
And as we learn from knowledge past
the seasons change and keep revolving
and this old world will us outlast,
along with quests of problem solving.

Thanks so much Terry and Catherine, much appreciated

Terry,
Yes it certainly brings it home mate, when we start losing those 'earthly friends'!
Also the rhyming pattern was something I haven't tried before, but thought it helped with the flow of the poem.
And old Henry is certainly my favourite, as with many no doubt!
Cheers mate
Ron.

Catherine,
Change is certainly the sign of our times isn't it, and I think more and more that it is the acceleration of change that is the hardest thing to keep up with as we get older.
I look forward to reading your poem.
Cheers
Ron.

I really like this poem, Ron. It has shades of the odes of the old English poets.

These lines particularly took my fancy ...

But now in times, when time it seems,
with stealth, has snowballed, rollercoasting
through many years of unfilled dreams
as those old days, come ‘round us ghosting!

Cheers
Shelley

Thanks so much Shelley,
Yes it all seems to close in fairly quick once we reach a certain age! (after retirement! )
Cheers
Ron.