Seven Stages of Man

The starting of a new life,
The first breath drawn,
The comfort of mothers arms.
The first day of hockey camp,
Tightly holding mothers hand,
And then once again,
The separation of mother and son.
That pretty girl,
So fine, so sweet,
The thumping heart as I approach.
Walking away from the parked car,
Luggage in one hand, and once again,
The separation of mother and son.
Standing there beside her,
Wondering is this right?
And then replying, I do.
Watching the children home from college,
Sitting by the open hearth,
And thinking, those were the days.
At last I've reached the final chapter,
Finally finding myself at peace,
And then as there was a first breath of life,
There is a last.