June Calender writes

Growing Old: a Long View

Because we know about —

or have invented — Time

we understand we will

grow old. Time begets change:

we, and all things on earth will die.

If choice were mine,

I would live the life span

of mountains, grow old

as the Adirondacks and

Appalachians have.

Geologists say they are

old — old beyond Time.

Whereas the grand Himalayas

are mere adolescents,

still growing. I would have loved

to be grandly snow mantled,

kissed by clouds, worshiped.

How fine to feel rough cliffs

and scarps wind-licked like ice cream

cones into softly rounded shapes,

garnished in evergreens and hardwoods

gracious home to deer and bear,

moose, foxes, beavers, birds.

How exciting to have lived eons

watching human civilization

commence and spread.

How woeful now feeling degradation

of atmosphere, earth and waters

and all the beings living here… Even

with abounding life, a surety is

that Earth itself will far outlive

the hungry, manipulating species,

once grand mountains will

become deserts. Time will end

with Life. Earth will remain,

possibly even after

the sun becomes a cinder.

sol H --  Conrad Jon Godly