Selfless

When the charm of our youth has faded
Like rich paint melts in the sun,
When dismayed our spirits have fainted
Again and again
Only to rise renewed
Over and over
Through prayers offered,
Kind words,
Or unfailing love,
When the crossing of mighty waters
Becomes more of a normality
Than impossibility
And the mountains smoke with experience
Rather than doom,
When our dreams have been delivered unto us,
And goals reached
Our race is not run
For to mellow with age
Is to discover selflessness
And to give of self
Is to begin to live.

(c)--Christina Cowling