For Youth
by Henry B Stevens
12/2/2003

 "Words spoken for the athlete not dying young"

Birthydays over 70
are like an overtime period
in the game of life

Intensity sharpens
each day with the
uncertainity about certainity

As I hold my
very fresh
great grandaughter

whose tiny fingers
each have a perfect
fingernal, barely visible

Youth often flies
the flag "Live hard
die young,"

But rigors of
older age have
merit  also

as a chronically
ill old couple
swaping valentine cards

youth often dispairs
but old cheerfully takes
an other day

soft smiles,
gentle touch
satisfying sunset.