Changing Views

When I was young and clueless,
If retirement appeared
Somehow upon my radar
I would think it pretty weird.

But if I gave some thought to where
My future self might be,
Most likely it would be a little
Cabin by the sea.

A stroll into a charming town,
My cottage with a view,
A garden and a lot of time
To do the things I’d do.

But life takes unexpected turns
And there’s no magic math
To calculate the ending
As we chart our chosen path.

And as the years unfold we find
The follies of our youth
Seem fictional when they’re compared
To living’s harsher truth.

Ironically, though, in my
Long-time view-free home, I am
Retired, far from seaside
And contented as a clam.