In Thirds Poem by Barry Middleton

a third of life is spent in youth
children explore a newborn world
later they will search for truth

the child in learning how to love
will find a broken heart for certain
and there's no answer from above

a third of life is spent in wonder
a man will grow into his future
and take possession of the thunder

and yet for all his proud ascension
no matter his successful ride
he'll not get by without dissension

a third of life is spent in brilliance
wisdom comes to some degree
and if we're lucky some resilience

but illness that we can't remove
descends till death to steal the sun
then we have nothing left to prove

within each span and mortal space
the pain and sorrow catechize
to lead us to salvation's grace