Stream of Life

arising in
secluded pools
life takes hold
a fragile form

then motion stirs
now unconstrained
a cautious search
among the rocks

and soon endowed
with confidence
boundaries now
respect its path

and for a time
a raging stream
that carves its way
thru walls of stone

then farther on
the torrent calms
as waters spread
to nourish all

at last the flow
begins to die
clogged by sand
or drowned by sea

On Living

life's a gift
planned or not
brief or long
rough or kind

time for joy
and some for pain
struggles faced
and love bestowed

and so it goes
until the end
with some control
and some good luck 

and many choose
to fight its end
living past
their useful days

but I will not
accept that choice
once living
is devoid of life