Remember when you were ten
and thought at twenty-one
you’d be all grown up and perfectly happy?
Then, when you were thirteen
your father dropped dead of a heart attack
and your family all but fell apart.
Remember when you were twenty-one
and thought at forty
you’d have life all figured out?
Then, just as you finished college at twenty-two
you became pregnant with Jessica
and your plans to become a trial lawyer ended.
Remember when you were forty-five
all three kids were on their own, and you thought
you could launch a writing career?
Then, two days after your first book was accepted
your mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and
all your energy shifted to caring for her.
Remember when you were sixty-five
had published eight books, and you thought
Tom and you could finally relax and smell the roses?
Then, when you were sixty-seven
Tom died after a prolonged battle with cancer
and Jessica entered rehab for alcoholism.
Remember just yesterday, on your eighty-third birthday
you marveled at how life seems to happen
in between all the plans we make?
Nothing could be more true.
Poetic Alchemist 
Thanks Fadzly.
Aurora: Thanks so much. It’s a different poem than normally shows up on my doorstep.
What a gifted way of expressing these truths! I enjoyed this poem immensely, Don.
Nasra: Thanks and Happy New Years!
Polona: Thanks and Happy New Years!
this was wonderful, don.
thank you
How true life happenes between our plans..This played great tunes within me ..Thank you ..I wish your poetic thoughts would pour more so we can enjoy what it comes through your pen..
Wish you happy new year with good health and with your family
Michele: Thank you. Yes, that is what John Lennon said and I subscribe to it.
Dan: Thanks. Yes, you are so right.
Happy New Year to you both.
I remember!
Good one, and true! Always somewhere other than here (but even so, we’re always here anyway)….
Thanks!
I love this one.
didn’t John Lennon say something like…”Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans.?”
and Jerry Garcia says “Truth is something you stumble into when you think you are going somewhere else.”
keep on writing Don!
Namaste,
Michele