Where Does the Time Go

Where does the time go?Where does it run to?How can so many daysAnd hours and secondsAnd years speed byWhen suddenly old happens.What is old anyway?It’s more than wrinkles And grey hair.It’s more than arthritis And hip replacements.It’s remembering black and white TelevisionAnd cars the size of tanks.It’s faded photosThat weren’t taken on a phone.It’s laughing at the computer voiceOn Star Trek Because we now have our ownAlexa and Siri who tell us the weatherAnd how to spell pneumonia.Old crept up or ratherRaced up And settled in my hip.And my eyes and ears.It crept up on other people too.Rock stars now look like grandpas.Actresses look like their skin shrankAnd their lips popped.Once boyish politicians have jowls And bald spots.And the youth of the worldThe perennially fresh-faced crowdWith new ideas which are reallyOld ideas in a slicker package.Do they know how fast itAll goes? I was told. I was warned.But I paid no attention.Why worry about some Future when right nowIs so easy.So breezy. Life is so lush and fullAnd stretches ahead. Plenty of timeTo be successful.Fall in love.Write the novel.Change the worldUntil the time goes.Until it disappears A breathless momentThat grows, bloomsAnd fades.Where does the time go?The moments shimmer awayLeaving but memories,Phantom images andDreamlike thoughtsOf long ago.