Forty
One third of life is passed, two-sixths that is;
Two chunks of twenty years, with one in biz;
First section getting ready – living skills,
The second sorting out potential thrills.We cast about in twenties for a place
To live our adult lives in human race;
In thirties try a niche and make a mark;
In forties (more or less) play fuller part.In fifties mentor others, pass along
The things which we've discovered should belong
In ways of business life of younger folks,
As they come under discipline and yoke.In sixties we transition once again,
When, based on first careers where working ends,
We're free to surge ahead, make second mark,
Impossible without initial part.For base we've laid while living sixty years
Is firm foundation – freed from early fears;
We're not caught up in drives to procreate,
So second chance exists to re-create.Some folks take re-creation as a right,
But some of us who've had to cancer fight
Have realized a second chance at life
Has opened up for us – it's not a right.One hundred years ago, at forty-eight,
Most men were dead, it's only been of late
That life has shifted in society,
So we could this extended section see.At first, the Bible says, men grew quite old,
But evil in their hearts meant love grew cold;
So God reduced their span to what we've got
A hundred-twenty years (to us a lot –For few of us hit ninety – even then,
We've wrecked our bodies, most are stooped, and then
Beneath the load which gravity exacts,
Few clear a hundred-ten – that's just the facts).So two of six big chunks for you are gone,
And three for me, but hey! Unless I'm wrong,
We're on the threshold of a brighter day –
The treasure-trove we found's about to pay.Not just in cash for us, but for us all
(One rowboat which is beached is somewhat small);
Development's like three legs on a stool –
To view as one or two, we'd be the fool.In every enterprise three parts are seen:
The human part is basic – where we've been;
The enterprise itself needs building up;
But larger context too, or things get rough.The Internet has opened up a way,
Perceivers at full stretch can have their say,
Which frees the next in line to burst ahead,
Then as the leaders lead, the rest are led.The problem we encountered at this time
Is shutting down of Westman – end of line
For those who are perceivers, so the rest
Can't live their lives contributing their best.We stopped and took a closer micro-look;
Then pushing through two truths is what it took
To see the larger problem for us all –
It's more than us who've hit this solid wall.New ways of doing life need not supplant
The old – just to some others give a chance
To re-engage in life, before their time
To shuffle off to nether-world sublime.As now you hit your stride, the timing's great;
A readiness exists, a world awaits
Your contributions to so many fields –
This way to farm results in greater yields.navigation