The Years You Earn

At seventy-five you stand on top of the world:
the body still strong, the mind still clear, the means all earned.
A life’s work behind, the whole of life ahead:
free to do what you love, and to begin anew.

You built toward this for years, and built it well:
the body strong, the means grown, the time laid by.
The duties behind you now, the ones you love still near.
These are the crowning years: the building’s done, now live them.

The sun is high, the whole bright day ahead,
free now of all but joy, and every hour gold.