One Way

Age is just a number, so they say

Of course the number changes as you age,

Always increasing since time goes one way

Forever turning to the next blank page.

So age may be a label, but it's still 

An honest presentation of the years

We wish it would hold steady—well, until

We realize the yet uncounted tears

That would let fall if we should age no more

Because the only way to stop is die

And such cessation we perforce deplore.

Therefore we welcome age as it goes by

And cannot help but to delight in it;

At least we do if we have any wit.