When You Close Your Eyes How Young Are You?

Let no one mourn for me the loss of fitter, keener days.

For I have gained a great deal more from those investments made.

Grayed hair and shaky, hard of hearing, wrinkles and bad teeth;

The price of life’s marred choices?

Yet no hatred in me seethes.

And I'll wager my tomorrow to salvage what I can,

Gain wisdom from mistakes I made
Like any mortal man.

Yes, I am blessed,

For reasons undeserved,

With love and faith 

And hope beyond all measure.

Though contemplate my life I will

It leads me not to frown

Nor beat my chest and cry out "woe is me".

For I have lived threescore

And still am left to live some more.

What years ahead will bring

I know not yet, nor care

For there will be adventures still

And grand enough to dare

To learn and grow and live
It is enough to share.

The days ahead, the days behind
Need never be compared.

Though I may fail in body or in mind,
Or cease to see

Let no one urge me, "curse…and die"

A bitter, little me.

Remind me, those who call me friend, to live life purposely,

Until I close my eyes and care not what my age would be.