Age Too Quickly Comes by Phil Mills, Jr.

Winds bid me come with chill-laden whispers, Catlike in the quiet calling, softly speaking. While my tired eyes bear frazzled witness To life’s tormented and painful passing.

Comes a profound rejoicing, joyous celebration That in this passing, life’s black hour enlightened; Song birds sing in hushed, disbelieving harmonies Of a timeless turning, a seasonal passage coming.

Winter’s bitterness, frozen contains me not, Turning back the aged wrinkles, the frigid hour. Come to me spring-like beginnings, reborn To sooth and refresh my troubled soul.

Stir the grass from idyllic slumber, awaken To fill my green valleys with bountiful memories. Blow away the icy chill of death-like gloom. Dry the frozen tears of sorrow, opportunities lost.

Return to me vast prairie grasses, waving While Meadowlarks rise on windswept currents. Ride with the great spirits, gone long before me On wild horses, bison, and antelope running free.

Dry the painful lonely tears of sorrow, burning; Carry away the shattered moments of youth. Blow away my dampened spirit, a realization As age and unfulfilled dreams overtake me.

Gather up the reins of my tired horses. Let me ride windswept plains just once more. Feel the wind against my now weathered face As age all too quickly wins life’s blemished race.

Lift me up from life’s tired winter doldrums. Bring me peace in this final, eventual hour. Let me race boldly across valley floors For only death can tame the spirit within me.