Leaves Of Life

My life has been just like a book
The first pages unsoiled, clean and slow
Then gradually quickening as henceforth I grow
My ravenous mind was greedy for life;

Always eager to reach the next page
Now reluctant to proceed in my old age
I have lived through countless chapters
Seen love and hate come and go

But what comes at the end, I do not yet know
The beginning pages of my book
are now worn and thin,
So many times have I read them all,

things my memory could recall
But what of me when the last page is in place ?
Will another volume be my restitution,
My gift, payment, or restitution ?

My enthusiastic view of life has dimmed
I once felt young, and radiantly free,
Now that's just a part of my memory
At least I saw the words "the end" before they came

I cheerfully lived my life in full,
And although it has neared it's end, I loved it all !