Bookends

The left to right we live our lives in doesn’t seem quite fair
to one goes all the hope and bliss, the other gets despair.
“For I Nephi having been born of goodly parents” can tell
of all the greatness that will come before “I bid unto all farewell”.
And wailing blurbs of fat and bone enfolded with tender love
are but a distant memory when the same soul leaves to dwell above.

But left to right we always move with stops along the way,
always wondering when the right will come to win the day.
A friend is made and plans abound in the future’s open view;
but suddenly the ending comes, there is nothing we can do.
The day begins brilliant and clear unblemished by mistake
but whether the time proves sour or sweet, night will come and take.

And so we laugh and dance and trust and do all that we can.
For when the right claims her due part we cannot start again.
Our time comes with a limit. It’s borrowed from above.
But it’s the middle of left and right which I have grown to love.