Where did Time go?

Fifty five years!

It seems like yesterday

When I came home 

From college 

To hot tea and baked bananas

And the sumptuous meals

Mother served

To Papa’s smiles

**************

Now here I am

Going back

After a life time of wandering

Collecting, gathering amassing

Knowing that

The time has come

To let go

And I have begun

Letting go

************

What is most precious goes first

Your children

Find worlds that you cannot share

Friends, and partners and those

They now love more and to whom

They owe their allegiance and loyalty

Should there be a conflict.

*************

My pleasures come next

Already  I have given up

My facourite baked bananas

High in sugar.

**********

Now shall come

My health, strength.

Failing sight

Falling teeth

Unfirm footsteps

Short breath.

************

Ultimately,

Emptied of myself

I shall come

To the fullness

Of emptiness.