At Arm's Length

So much of life pushed away
kept at arm's length of mercy's sake.
This is best for all involved,
beware the way that beggar's take.
To partake is the fool's fae path,
wisps flit eager to entice.
Turn away as emotions flare,
they are phantoms of life's past days.

Separation is the normal now,
even as the breadth is seen.
To know so much is curse
only if the joy is lost.
Appreciation is the burden held
when this is all life has to share.
Knowledge flows to wisdom's grasp
when then and now are kept separate.

The wheel turns relentlessly,
the days to months and then to years.
Each walks their path with many ones
of those of same and dissimilar.
In the hands of latter folk
the world is held as life is passed.
In time they will feel the void,
fate holds same for all that walk.

© 2016, Sean Green. All Rights Reserved, 20160326.