If I Tried

if I tried
would it work
would you care
would I know

decades hence
not a word
who's to blame
who can say

would it hurt
if I tried
would you be
pleased I did

then the pain
might subside
at least a bit
at least for now

Freedom

in youth a time
of threats and fear
and stirring hymns
in stained glass light

then came the doubt
that knowledge brings
and word of crimes
within the church

so freedom rose
a gift of truth
and now my faith
in kindness lies

A Full Head of Hair

a full head of hair
was the line that he used
when praising those men
who were aging with grace

not fit or athletic
not bright or refined
a full head of hair
were the words that he chose

as one might suspect
his full head of hair
was a source of esteem
and his weapon of choice 

Getting Old

our bodies fail
and friends succumb
the future short
as time unfolds

so much gone by
all food for thought
with little left
the past now rules

and wisdom gained
reveals mistakes
what wasn't done
what could have been

old age a time
for memories
but also time
to face regrets