Gentle Tether...

'Before the shell of Self was cracked'

Before we bore the helotry

That bound us to the roar of clocks

When we were cared for and carefree

But didn’t give it second thoughts

Because the creek was full of fish

And we were full of dream and wish

Immune to Time’s unbiased truth

Because we wore the green of youth
 

Before the shell of Self was cracked

By the anointing of regret

And all those things we thought we lacked

Were long forgot through battles met

Before we became humbler through

A full face-plant stumble or two

As what we secretly adored

Unveiled a slick, double-edged sword

Before we realized the Prize

Of happiness we hoped to find

Is nothing but wide open eyes

Of thankfulness, simple and kind

Because too soon we lingered where

A tireless Tutor stole our chair

And drew us to the teeming street

To earn a little bread and meat

….and suddenly we sympathize

With middle-aged, plebeian ranks

Where work-worn hands and weary eyes

Meet morn with wiser, meeker thanks

Because a yoke of yester-years

Of spoken words, of smiles and tears

Have gently tethered weathered hearts

To love and its unfinished parts

© Janet Martin