The Bells Are Ringing Today Poem by Paul Buttigieg

Not oft I dream of passing, not oft at all
Today there is something firmly in my head
Telling me to be weary of confusing thoughts
Lest soon I be dead
There is no magic in this feeling
It's gutting me in a sense as I've never felt old
Until today
I'll ponderously drink a beer a red and be bold
Listening to musicians who have gone
All champions of my crazy carefree youth
Instigators of bravado sometimes unnecessary
Oh so young so uncouth
And what brings me to this crossroad
This place that says how you may be travelling low
Is your heart awash with something sad?
Your head is it your brain that's on slow
So where are you myself?
Are you seeing a stretch of hard years?
Or will you come back once again mindful
That old age should hold no fears