few surprise endings

there

are few surprise endings.

most

of us live

out our lives in the usual

way.

childhood

into

adulthood,

work, marriage,

children,

that sort of thing.

the house

and yard,

friends over for the weekend.

a long string

of uneventful holidays,

of lights

and parties,

presents.

and then at some point

it all begins

to fade,

and

everything ends.