(IP) 10, 20, 30 … 60 …

with apologies to A A Milne

At 10, still growing
not knowing where going;
at 20 time a-plenty;
by 30, very busy,
family responsibility;
so 40 brings perplexity,
parental anxiety:
teenage complexity;
at 50 increased stress,
spare time getting less;
at 60 anticipation
expectation
of increased freedom – conundrum:
leisure to treasure
and time to spare to care, and share
while still we have zest
(not laid down to rest),
though aware
soon … restrictions, limitations,
faculties may fail, curtail
… then the wait for the dawning
of eternal morning …
when, happy, with one who is kind, true and clever,
I’ll gladly stay with him for ever and ever …