Poems (Coates 1916)/Volume II/Youth and Age

by Florence Earle Coates

For works with similar titles, see Youth and Age.

YOUTH AND AGE

FOND Youth and Age met face to face,
And each the other doubted sore.
Age mourned: "Your follies grow apace
More dangerous than of yore.

"Old standards trampled in the dust,
Where you are wending who can tell?"
Youth, wondering, smiled, at his distrust,
And answered: "Nay; all's well!—

"Your day gone by, why fear that I
Shall lack the strength for mine own hour?
Each new demand of destiny
Brings with it a new power.

"For you the past: for me the Now—
The wonder-working Now divine!
A weight too heavy for your brow
The Fates transfer to mine."

Age, out of heart, impatient, sighed:—
"I ask what will the Future be?"
Youth laughed contentedly, and cried:—
"The future leave to me!"