Thirty-four

Thirty-four today
And I’m beginning to understand
How life creeps up on you
How, before you know it
Looking from the outside
You are no longer a child
Yet, knowing on the inside
You have barely been born

Thirty-four today
And I’m beginning to understand
How life happens to you
How, in every moment
Gathered around the fireside
You are telling your story
Yet, even as the narrator
You don’t know the next word

Thirty-four today
And I’m beginning to understand
How life is full of surprises
How, when you least expect it
In the blink of an eye
You find the scenery changed
Yet, beneath the surface
You draw from a constant stream

Thirty-four today
And I’m beginning to understand
How life can hurt sometimes
How, despite the armour
When the arrows pierce
You bleed like everyone else
Yet, one breath at a time
You have the strength to carry on

Thirty-four today
And I’m beginning to understand
How life is art made real
How, even as an amateur
Splashing light and colour
You can create a masterpiece
Yet, when you look up
You see that beauty is reflected

Thirty-four today
And I’m beginning to understand
How life is only the stage
How, no matter what the props
In the unfolding drama
You are there to learn loving
Yet, when the curtain falls
You find love outlasts all encores

Thirty-four today
And I’m beginning to understand
How life is a fragile thing
How, like a child on the beach
When the tide changes
You must let the castles wash away
Yet, if you crafted with care
You dwell forever in the heart of life