The Journey

 

We can't recall the boarding—dropped into

The seat of youth, which seems a timeless wind

Of ceaseless motion.  Ancient sun shines new

To recent budding eyes.  Adrenalined

Bodies sense the time to take their turn

And shovel coal to pay the fare.  The first

Sweet ride becomes marred with sweat, that can't return,

But sojourn on to unscheduled stops.  And cursed

Are some that teach restraint—the passenger list

Of storms and calms grows weighty.  Then longer days

Of speeding time, our life's antagonist,

Abate.  In eddies collects the exposés—

Our life's reflections—beside the tracks.

The caboose we ride in leisure looking back.

 

 

Barbara Benjamin

English sonnet        

BBP209