Perspective

Like magic crystals touching the ocean
they are initially bouyant, then as they
become immersed they melt, just as the
years tend to when we begin the cruise
meant to take us to the years of our lives.
There is good reason for the oft-used phrase
it was only yesterday, it seemed like only
yesterday, and in fact it was indeed that
way given time's idiosyncratic influence
on our recall of those momentous events
that shaped the years behind pushing us
toward the unknown future. Unknown
only in the sense of when the journey has
reached its final destination. The wistful
memories cradled deep within drawn on
now and again as a diorama of a lifetime
speak nothing of when the ship will
dock, yet you recall having retired to a
state room dispensing with actively forming
a part of the crew, at age 60 to enjoy the
luxury of leisure in the years remaining.
How now the impact of realization that
your child has reached that same junction
in life accords with future expectations 
is another matter entirely, of course.