one by one
   people disappear
   from our lives
some quietly
some as high melodrama
   some as low

the world of possibilities
   shrinks
open horizons narrow
the sky
   once the limit
has turned into
   a transparent dome
offering glances
   of space beyond
   out of reach

one by one
   birthdays arrive
   with higher numbers
until we find ourselves
   high up
on life’s pyramid
   with a wide base
   but shrinking space
   on top

             * *