The Past Is Dead, The Future Is Alive

He recently mentioned to me 
That he had been reflecting on
The years that he had allowed to slip away 
The years that he had imprudently thrown away
The years that he had 
Squandered 
Wasted
Forfeited without the slightest resistance

I listened to him attentively
And thought about the times 
I had thought those very same thoughts

For life can be a crippling challenge
And it is easy to find solace in
The multitude of mind and mood altering substances
The multitude of responsibility and dignity distractions
The multitude of opportunities for
Intoxication
Inebriation
Shameless descents into abject misery

And I said to him
For whatever good it might possibly do
The past is dead, you're not

You're one of us - the lucky - your life starts today