it won’t go on like this forever.

It Won’t Go On Like This Forever

Posted on April 8, 2016 by

I discovered this most timely poem on The Writer’s Almanac, a favorite site for all things literary.

Does it speak to you, too?

it won’t go on like this forever.

It won’t go on like this forever.

Forseeing
by Sharon Bryan

Middle age refers more
to landscape than to time:
it’s as if you’d reached

the top of a hill
and could see all the way
to the end of your life,

so you know without a doubt
that it has an end—
not that it will have,

but that it does have,
if only in outline—
so for the first time

you can see your life whole,
beginning and end not far
from where you stand,

the horizon in the distance—
the view makes you weep,
but it also has the beauty

of symmetry, like the earth
seen from space: you can’t help
but admire it from afar,

especially now, while it’s simple
to re-enter whenever you choose,
lying down in your life,

waking up to it
just as you always have—
except that the details resonate

by virtue of being contained,
as your own words
coming back to you

define the landscape,
remind you that it won’t go on
like this forever.

“Forseeing” by Sharon Bryan from Flying Blind. © Sarabande Books, 1996.

http://www.pasta-recipes.com

Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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Comments: 6

    • Jennifer Wolfe

      April 20, 2016

      You’re so very welcome. I loved it the moment I read it! #mg

      Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe

      April 20, 2016

      Inspirational is a perfect word to describe the poem – I just felt it spoke so much about being present in what our lives are, right now. Thank you for taking the time to comment. #mg

      Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe

      April 20, 2016

      Bonnie, I’m thrilled that you loved the poem like I do. I just love the image of being present, of being able to look forward from where we are right now. #mg

      Reply
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