Life

It is a strange journey we take in this world;
often I wonder at its meaning.
There is joy--a birth, a love, a laugh.
There is excitement--a goal met, a victory won.
There is sadness--a loss, a grief, a sudden departure.
There is love--for child, parents, husband, lover.

Yet in the end, it is loss that rules,
for all must come to a certain end;
there is no happily ever after
after all, just a venturesome journey
toward a predictable end.

Still, is the journey all in vain
if the ending is known before we begin?
Would we, given the choice,
choose not to take the path
and end before we traveled on?

I think these thoughts reflecting
on the losses in my life, the grief
that came and lives on in my heart
with each and every one.
But then

There are the memories of voices and kisses,
triumphs and surprising victories
that make the struggle worth the while.
It is memories that sustain the heart
and in time, provide the balm for wounds.

Journey on, my friends. Gird your loins
for the future will bring certain sorrow.
Bare your heart too, because
with the pain there still is joy
in seeing younger faces stretch
toward the sun. They venture forth
and the path continues on.