61 is ...

61 is
- losing a half hour
each morning for pain
- losing need to argue
where once you'd have leapt,
- losing festive late nights
yet you can't sleep late.

- knowing you will forget
many things today,
- knowing your newborn foal
just could outlive you,
- knowing you'll leave undone
many of your dreams.

- choosing to seize each day
living with spirit
- choosing your children's needs
over your own wants
- choosing to keep growing
'til your eyes last close.

61 is losing
stuff of no import,
61 is knowing
limit of your years,
61 is choosing
all that life can give.