Fragments of Time’s Embrace

A poem composed by Emily Schumacher in Year 11 Advanced English.

Her eyes are saucers, 

Large, sky blue circles that encapsulate the world. 

She swings from a rusted flag pole, 

The century old paint crumbling into her hands. 

There are no tears, threatening to spill 

Or hopeless sighs, as she lets fragments of life 

Form memories in her mind.   

I rock back and forth in my chair, 

Living vicariously through her joy. 

She hasn’t yet discovered 

The heartbreak of life,  

Her nimble fingers still not tarnished by the touch of time.  

Her forehead not yet creased with the worries of a life lived. 

Her hugs are just like honey, 

Soothing the dull ache that has nestled in my bones, 

Warming my aged soul and pushing back the  

Thoughts which have invaded my mind. 

She is a blade of grass, 

Swaying back and forth as the wind captures her body. 

So carefree as she runs through the drying grass, 

Her head, thrown back in unrestrained laughter. 

I was like that once, 

So filled with youth, 

A stream of hope and possibilities running through my veins. 

Her hair is the dark brown of rich chocolate,  

So alike to mine before the years took its vibrance. 

Now all that remains are patches of dull grey, 

Not worth the time or effort to cover.  

Her heart isn’t heavy, 

It beats a steady song.  

While mine struggles to keep a rhythm,  

Bearing the beat of the years it has persevered.  

She doesn’t yet know 

The pain of life as it passes by, 

Or the sweet agony that is the consequence of time.  

Too enthralled by the present, 

To concern herself with the future. 

She will let moments pass her by, 

Until the seconds,  

                            The minutes, 

                                              The hours, 

All catch up and she is left pondering where the days have gone.  

But for now I watch her, 

As she stares into a cloudless sky, 

And remember  

What it is to be young.