Not the First

I am not the first to rail against

the passing of unforgiving Time,

the hours and days that

fly away so quickly

I am not the first to cry,

as the months and years steal away

my youth, “Slow down,

I am not yet ready!”

Nor am I the first to hold,

inside a body that now sags and weakens,

a spirit still fresh and eager

for life and love.

I know I am not the first to look

into the glass and see a face that yesterday was young,

now grown tired and wrinkled

from the weight of years.

I am not even the first to pine

for what once was, to know that precious youth

cannot be recaptured

– it was long ago lived and lost.

I am not the first to try to push away,

delay or fight the end that must eventually come.

No, I am not the first to do any of these

nor will I be the last.

But I am the first and last –

the only one –

Of Me.

(c) Linda Visman

25^th August 2014