Living On the Cusp
By Edith Kane
As the pendulum swings so do we
Teenagers hang on for dear life
As the elderly do the same.
In the early years young people hang on the edge of
“who am I?”
In later years old people hand on the edge of
“what was I?”
Surprises come at you day by day
A prom date or an old age pension chequeTake
your pick.
Challenges and choices face a slick young chick
A date on the town, new school sweater and runners.
To the elderly a ride in the handicap van
A new wheelchair and slippers are fair game.
Up the hill or down the hill
Is a thrill from side to side.
Help a homeless old man or a mixed up teen
Listen to your heart;
Realize they are hanging on
Ever so dearly to what they have known.
Make their paths smoother and gentler to tread
One is going out - the other has just begun
Show and shine for those ho you can.