Twilight Years

The years slip away ever more quickly

Even as days go by with hardly a notice

So much becomes the same, limits to movement,

Senses all slipping away too

"Dying with your boots on" is a tired old cliche

For those who reach their twilight years

Family and familiar friends become fewer and fewer

Mobility becomes less and less

The mind wonders and wanders

Dementia may set in

In twilight years one may well sit and await death

As a friend calling all too late.

There are those who avoid the twilight years

Whose stamina and reserve keep them strong

They may finally wear out but still with their boots on

Minds remain alert, mobility and senses may be less,

But a sense of self, of interest in life, of reaching out remain

For these twilight years have little meaning

For each of us it will be one or the other

Keeping our minds active, keeping new interests, reaching out

Keeping those boots on if you will

Taking refuge in Christ from the graying of life

Boldly taking each day as it comes

To the twilight years we need not succumb

To the twilight years we need not succumb

Twilight Years(C)2006   Quentin Clingerman