The Rhythm of Life: a poem by Marilynn Moe

The rhythm of life speeds on and on;
The years are so short, though some days seem long.

Each end of life gives a different perspective,
At young age, it seems this will go on forever.

As old age increases, the strength surely wanes
As then we consider life’s losses and gains.

As one by one children grow up and leave home,
They wisely look forward to be on their own.

Their room will seem empty and so will their chair,
We cherish the memories of when they were there.

They go off to college with confident grace,
To prepare for their life’s work and enter life’s race.

It is with mixed feelings, nostalgia and pride
Our teaching has ended, but God is their Guide

We had no idea when we started this journey,
How fast the time goes with us in a hurry.

We slow down a bit as this fact becomes clear,
With sometimes a chuckle and sometimes a tear.

Lord, please now forgive the mistakes that I made,
Let memories of hard times diminish and fade.

But ever increase the joy that life gave,
As memories of love shared we happily save.

To the next generation who travel this road,
May God’s guidance and peace be your constant abode.

Marilynn Moe is a former music teacher of piano, organ, and accordion for a period of 56 years in North Dakota. She is grandma to 19 and great-grandma to 19 more, who live scattered across the United States. She is thankful to stay connected through visits, email, phone, and FaceTime.