The Winter of Fearful 

Contemplation

Not all the esteemed elders are
prepared to venture into that looming
inexorable deep darkness of eternity
where consciousness, thought and
emotion are forever stilled.  The 
spirit that threatens departure
leaves us dispirited at the very
thought of the final act's stunning
finality. Why the hurry, and when did
our time elapse - we can scarce recall,
it is so unmercifully unfair, one old
friend wrote another - if I knew then
what I know now, I would have lived
so differently! Ah, said her friend,
nature makes the rules, she creates us
as innocents, to make our way as best
we can, giving us the starring role
in our very own life drama, to live,
love and have our experience at
this great game of hers, and then,
she time-stamps us on empty.