4 and 20 Years to Go
I always liked Stephen Stills song, “4 and 20 Years Ago.” Now I have maybe 4 and 20 years before I go. That got me to thinking.
4 and 20 years ago, Stephen’s sweet song of bitter seeds
4 and 20 years to go, a future, clouds in Carly’s coffee
Love and fire, ashen in an empty nest
Career and demands, delighted in the rear view
Children repeating some of our mistakes
Yet surprising with wise choices
Grandkids bouncing, words streaming
Bubbling conversation, Maharishi’s delight.
4 and 20 years to go
Relish the past
Cherish the future.
Ideas stockpiled, no time before
Knowledge holes, choose to close
Tunnel through mind bugs and stereotypes
Organize mites of wisdom,
Between days of doctors and procedures
Family activities and birthday parties,
Bind into explanations
Of lifetime puzzles.
In 4 and 20 years
The past won’t change, yet ignore at peril
Future, still fresh and open, to choices now.
Happiness and success still being weighed
Which eulogy will be written, with
4 and 20 years to go?
Deja Vu Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young album cover
