Slow Down (a poem)

I have recently found a love in poetry. Not all poetry, but some. I like the kind of poetry that has a rhythm and flow. A poem with meaning, even if it's not apparent at first.

I want to share one of my favorite poems with you. I read it about a year ago on a blog. And it's been one of my favorites ever since.

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short
The music won't last.

Do you run through each day on the fly
When you ask 'How are you'?
Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done
Do you lie in bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?

You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Ever told your child
We'll so it tomorrow?
And in your haste
Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say 'Hi'

You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short
The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry
Through you day.
It's like an unopened gift...Thrown away.

Life is not a race
Do take it slower.
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

This was written by a young girl terminally ill with cancer. Take the time to read it, it's worth the read.