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in retrospect

by barbara ross

There's a golden beam of sunlight streaking
down a path of years

In a heart that long ago exuded youth-
For the joy of life revealing
All that childhood in concealing

Brought it farther, never nearer, to the truth ..

As it poised to snatch at revelation
placed beyond its grasp

Wasted seasons soon began to take their toll-
Immaturity had faded
A II that bitterness had jaded

And dejeat at last converged with shafted soul.

Had it searched without expecting someone
else to make a gift

Of the ends toward which each man must strive alone-
Its scope would have expanded
Till the universe it banded

And it would have turned to light instead of stone.

It always rains at one o'clock and then
again at three

In a heart that long ago exuded youth-
And the reason for its weeping
Is regret for never seeking

Slender keys of life that hang on chains of truth.

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