Joseph White - Time Is A Thief

time is a thief
a thief of love, breath and living
life slips away on cat's feet
silent it goes without fanfare
almost unnoticed, youth fades to old
with wrinkles, fear and desperation
and far too soon we have much behind and little ahead
we mark the passing of time but time
passes us, finally
confused, eyes unclear and hands unsteady
ears are dulled but still can hear the ticking of the clock
the mind is dimished now
forgettting more than remembering
once familiar faces are now but strangers
in a strange world
youth demands dignity with strength
no strength or dignity for the aged
life begins, is and ends with but a single
tick of the clock
time is a thief of precious life
never to be recovered
only in fairy tales do dreams come true

Joseph White

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/time-is-a-thief/