Today, I turned forty three <br />So I look back or look ahead <br />Back to what I was or ahead to what I'll be <br />But not too far because then I'd be dead <br /> <br />I decided to look back then ttavel ahead <br />Exploring my most pivotal years <br />Remembering things people had said <br />Examining my deepest fears <br /> <br />Childhood, years of innocence and wonder <br />Everything to a child's eyes is new <br />Til one day, innocence is torn asunder <br />As surely as the sky will be blue <br /> <br />Teenage years, a sense of immortality <br />At such an age death is not even imagined <br />Doing everything with such youthful vitality <br />Not knowing the end is already predestined <br /> <br />Twenties and Thirties maturity is reached <br />And things just seem to fall into place <br />Your innocence, long since breached <br />Is remembered in the look on a child's face <br /> <br />In your Forties attaining middle age <br />Deciding that maturity looks good on you <br />Graying hair, against which you don't rage <br />You feel it's distinguished, how very true<br /><br />Harry J. Couchon Jr<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/looking-back-an-overview-of-a-life/
