On early passing

On early passing
Into time transcending
Tick by tock
It ceases not

Still time our ally
Or time our foe
Shall we e'er to know

The sand that sifts
Through the substance
Of our skin
Shall surely do us in

While still we may
Make something
Of the clay
That is drifting
Away

Its pathway
Unchanging
Though always
We engaging
In our own Imaginings

Of worlds and wonders
Beyond our own understanding
Of lives unending

Yet always
Descending
Deeper and deeper
Into the depths
Of our own depravity

Till gravity
Has its way
And our lives
In its play
Go swiftly
Away

As once more
Bits of clay
Are we dust
And decay

So what of today
Of yesteryear before
Shall we look yet far
Back to what we know
No more

Before we pass
Through that open door
Here's to life
And love
And hope

That we may pause
Before this season's past
Could be our last

In thanks
To fall
At the foot of grace
The author of time
And space
Awaits

Though patient
He may stand
His footprints
In the sand

Will soon
But fade
If we
Should fail
To follow

For waves of glory
Will soon wash
Away

Oh to pray
That we may
Not be caught
And washed to sea

Where we
In all our misery
Be lost
Eternity
At sea

-Joshua Lee Foist