If we were young men
if we were strong
If we had fresh words
to add to our song
If we were soldiers
with war in our veins
If we were poets
our voices reclaimed
If we were lovers
of women that cried
If we went wandering
our heart’s reapplied
If we were statesmen
the world in our grasp
If we were sailors
the wind at our backs
If we were farmers
with meadows so green
If we were actors
on stages supreme
If we were hunters
new wolf on the prowl
If we were dreamers
all wishes allowed
If we were young men
still facing the sun
But alas, we are old
—and darkness has come
(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2016)