Stepping Stones

All those many years ago

when days were long and time moved slow

and moments seemed to stretch forever,

families gathered frequently 

for holidays and barbecues

the seasons passed so languidly

seems such an eternity ago

Then school inhabited our days 

friendships forged, some left behind…

Our want of change came from within

ever searching for some sign.

The time ticks forward on the clock.

we learn how harsh that fate can be,

but forge ahead,  as forge we must

and while we’re learning who we are

we’re also learning whom to trust.

Another step, another loss 

but there are gains along the way…

the confidence I’d never had

a gift from one who understands;

so the fool has found her voice

as hourglass metes out its sand.

We watch the seasons as they pass

the joys and sorrows fall like rain

with age comes the capacity

to separate the lies from fact

to learn from all our loss and pain,
while dealing with reality.

And through it all our children grow

the second hand moves faster now—

as sworn protectors of their fate

we’ve little time to contemplate.

The days all seem to merge as one,
we hope somehow we’ve done our jobs

to send them out into the world

but yet our work seems barely done.

And as we let these young folk go

this brand new generation born

—maturing ever fast it seems,

we pray they’ll come to recognize

as we were once so they are now:

filled with hope and bent on change

they wait to realize their dreams.

We hang our faith upon these young

may they do better than we’ve done

and may they keep their souls intact

upon the road they’ve just begun.

© Ginny Brannan 2020