Life's Vicissitudes

 

 

“Life is real drama”

Oh, yes indeed!

Oft I’ve heard this spoken

Especially when in need.

 

With its “ups and downs”

And its “ins and outs”

Sometimes so frustrating

We have to shout.

 

Looking for a constant

On which to plan,

Thwarted by constant change

Like an oscillating fan.

 

Seedtime and harvest

Life and death,

Periods of great upheaval

Times of rest.

 

 

Little time to settle

Changes, ever so fast,

An apparent open window

But will it last?

 

A near miss there

And an almost hit it here

Mingled with expectant joys

And ominous fears.

 

Was only last week

That we had a long chat,

Cannot believe she is gone

What a disturbing fact?

 

Yes, life is a drama

With many acts and scenes

Changing ever so rapidly

Like a fleeting dream.

 

The now quickly passes

But in a sense still remains,

The only constant realistically…

The constant of change.

 

 

Life is a roller coaster,

Unpredictably so

And the only future certainty

Is what we don’t know.

 

The vicissitudes of life;

The ever-changing times,

Sleepless nights of planning

To meet the daily grind.

 

“What’s become of him?”

“Oh, didn’t you hear?

He recently transitioned,

He is no longer here.

 

Stunned at another passing

A bright future ahead

Such no longer possible

As he is at present dead.

 

Death is a constant

But on such we can’t plan

Except to will our possessions

To our remaining clan.

 

 

 

“Taxes” is a constant

So too is its inevitable climb

Such that one actual dollar

Is now worth one dime.

 

Devaluation of currency

Each and everyday

Though still pegged to the US

But dwindling away.

 

Flies come out at night,

This is not the usual way

And sparrows build their nests

In strange places these days.

 

Cats mess and walk away

Forgetting to cover up

And on these very hot days

That scent just erupts.

 

 

Changes, changes, changes,

Yes, life’s vicissitudes,

And concomitant with change

Is the human mood.

 

Stewart Russell © July 20, 2023