Reminiscing of days gone by
sitting under gloomy skies
of things that happened this past year
as it goes out with a bang and a mighty cheer.

Eighty years of time on this earth
were given to me last January
all of my friends gathered around
as we had food and drink and good company.

I hiked a lot and spent time
walking with friends which I thought fine
although most of the time I hiked alone
the closer to Nature that I have shone.

I spent time outside in my yard
working on ponds and on my guard
for Nature’s sometimes unwelcome guests
ants and bugs and snakes and pests.

I lost a few of the very large Koi
as Nature chose its strength to deploy
who lives who dies and who is born
in Nature it is the perfect norm.

I lost two dogs and gained one back
to add into the little pack
as Nature decided their time had come
as she took them to her heavenly home.

I made new friends and met new folks
and passed the time with talk and jokes
and on any given day
would be out in the Parks just walking away.

I dreamed my dreams of days gone by
much younger then and trying to defy
any sign of growing old
as my strength and youth I did behold.

Alas just dreams were all they seemed
as I creaked and groaned my way redeemed
back to the reality of the time
with muscles sore but feeling fine.

I can no longer run and jump
or kick a ball as I’m over the hump
as Nature treats me as her own
as she decides when my time will come.

I am grateful that I can still walk
and that my brain still works and I can still talk
both with my voice and with my pen
for that I don’t need to be young again.

I am glad that I can say that
I lived another year this way
Another birthday is coming fast
as I count the days, will it be my last?

Even if I had the choice to tell
I think that I would repel
knowing when my time is come
to make that journey into the sun.

So all the while I feel this good
and that I can walk and write a book
I am happy this way is my life
and look forward to a year without strife.

.