I wrote this on my 40th birthday.
If I turned forty today how would I feel?
As a youth in times of Noah?
As an old man in ancient Rome?
Maybe I would feel “middle aged”,
(As these days it’s commonly known)?
If I turned forty today what would happen?
Perhaps some morbid reflection;
Regret of things passed and undone?
An over-the-hill party theme–
(“From here on it won’t be much fun!”)
I turned forty today and this is what happened.
The same as thirty and twenty–
(I can’t remember turning ten).
Another day is a blessing;
Things left “undone” can still begin.
I turned forty today and this is how I feel.
As a youth with much still to do.
As an old man with life to share.
Maybe middle aged—I can’t say;
Ask that again in the next year!