Dimly, and late in life

DIMLY, AND LATE IN LIFE

Dimly, and late in life

It comes to him

As from the dense text

Of a complex poem long pondered

That he has paid too little mind

To the expression of caring,

Has let what’s most important

Slip past, unseen, unheard,

Unrecognized until almost too late. What

Use regret now?

No matter,

He would have said when younger;

There’s time enough and more

To reach out with a gentle touch

And be aware when help is needed

And know how to give it freely.

Now, almost too late, he understands

And vows henceforward to embrace

Each who shares his life

Before ignorance becomes oblivion,

Before, in the eyes of those remaining,

Indifference becomes his legacy.

(c) Bob Loomis

08-11-2008