When
by carolecluer
When I was young I thought
I would live forever.
Life was permanent
and indestructible.
Age and illness would never bring
their frailty and doubt.
Time proved me wrong and
tempered its preciousness.
Now I know that like all men
I hold onto life by a golden thread.
carole cluer 
I’ve come back to this one again, today, and still feel such an emotional response to it within. It really sums up the lessons I’ve been learning the last few years with so many deaths in my life (13 in 3 years). At first, I thought I was a little unusual in having so much death around me, but I’m also realizing it’s just part of life, part of growing older, part of spreading out our tentacles into new friendships, communities, people and places. The more we age, the more we know, the more we love, the more we grow, the more we know, the more we can lose…
Thanks for such beautiful words. Could I quote you on my blog sometimes perhaps? (Of course, I will link back to you and your lovely blog!)
Thank you, I was nervous of posting the poem as it felt so personal. I would be honoured if you quoted me, I have read your blog and it is thoughtful and thought provoking, you are a very courageous writer. It would be great if you could put the link on too.