The child is fascinated with its skin,
suspecting none of mysteries ahead,
and learns a world without, a self within,
ignoring differences, names not said.

The young adult is blinded by desire,
too little or too much accepting change,
and wonders if companion's warming fire
is worth the effort life to rearrange.

The old is settled into habits firm,
aroused by flashes of bright future hope,
subsiding back into the final term
of seeking happiness on downward slope.

And almost lovers, will they soon be back
to sit and touch and talk and keep on track?

- Robert Stone, 11 August 2014