Young World

Ancient eyes reminisce
as youths perform flawlessly,
their young bodies
joyous in their strength.
Smiling at their confidence,
I remember the celebration
of my own raging hormones --
back when I owned the world.

I felt young again,
if just for a moment.

Vibrant energy rejoices
with impassioned fury
as young hearts strive --
     to achieve,
          to succeed,
               to control ...

to forget the relentless onslaught
     of time.

Generations rise and fall,
spawning anew --
each succeeding wave
foaming over its receding predecessor.
Names dim in memory,
then are forgotten
as the past is trampled
into the dust of ages.

Time and again,
youthful hands of ownership
wax old,
     lose their grasp,
           pass on the legacy --
to youth.
Genes live on,
but names quickly fade.

Ancient eyes reminisce,
brightened by a tear
as another soul discovers
     the futility of pride.

Like youth and ownership,
     that too,
          disappears in time.

Dallas D'Angelo-Gary 00