ADVICE

And so, as do all, I started my journey
at the dawning of life
And true to the design of the almighty,
darkness began it's slow and steady encroachment.
In time. As with gray,
it's shades altered minutely
That only by the year could the changes be seen
and as the past withdrew from memory,
At last it resembled more fondly, a pleasant dream.

Without trepidation, I now look back
upon those years with less animosity
And more with charity toward the inmates of my thoughts
then had, in past years, been my habit.
Those villains, those heroes, those character actors
upon life's stage
Now seem less poignant in nature
then the sum of life they influenced.

Still one may, in security, look back and recall
the anger and the ecstasy as it then was
Without succumbing to the self rapprochement
that often overflows life's brim.
Old age does possess some recompense
in the form of reconciled solitude.
As a tonic, time embraces those seasoned wrinkles
that in youth, we sought to elude.

And so, the journey led to the corners of the earth
and to many a varied circumstance
Which, by fate or by mortal design,
I hosted in as good stead as was my ability.
Love, war and the lessons of life were
not lost on me but seemed to heighten my perception
And though the truth of life, until now had escaped me,
I seldom failed to experience its essence.

Therefore I say, Life was not wasted on me
but enjoyed and savored over time.
Those memories alluded to, here in, are the spice
of a linear existence,
Though brief in cosmic terms,
still long and rich enough to treasure.

Now, as I go along my way I advise;

Live life for the zest,
Live it for ideals,
Live it for love.
Live it for the pure enjoyment of it,
Live it for the day, the year, the decade.
but live it whole.
For such shall your spirit surly be comprised of
As the old life succumbs and the new begins.

~Robert E Browne~

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