Cascade XI
The Cascade of Years
The one country every long life travels to. Those who arrived first sent back word.
On Growing Old
“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” Psalm 90, c. 900 BC
On Time
“Time is like a river made up of the events which happen, and a violent stream; for as soon as a thing has been seen, it is carried away, and another comes in its place.” Marcus Aurelius, c. 180 AD
On the Body's Changes
“The almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home.” Ecclesiastes, c. 300 BC
On Regret
“For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: 'It might have been!'” John Greenleaf Whittier, 1856
On Late Blooming
“It is too late! Ah, nothing is too late Till the tired heart shall cease to palpitate.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1875
On What Age Gives
“The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.” Proverbs, c. 700 BC
On Looking Back
“It is perfectly true, as the philosophers say, that life must be understood backwards. But they forget the other proposition, that it must be lived forwards.” Soren Kierkegaard, 1843
On Finding the Magic
“To see a World in a Grain of Sand And a Heaven in a Wild Flower Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand And Eternity in an hour.” William Blake, 1803