The Seven Stages Of Man

All the world's a zoo.
All of man, equal in different ways.
No matter the color.
No matter the size.
All with different paths, that lead to one place.
Our Purpose is determined the minute of our birth.
All under the same sky and sleep upon the stars.
Some work more, some work less.
Every creature in this world, shall be here,
Until all the lights go out and the Earth goes to sleep.

You start out young.
Wanting to run and be free, showing the eagle within.
Falling and getting right up again.
As if nothing had happened.
When in trouble, using true intellect to escape,
Fleeing as fast as a Peregrine Falcon, going for its prey.
While it flies back to its family with the catch in its beak.

You grow a little older,
Knowing that in order to survive you must be brave.
Displaying the heart of a lion,
And the soul of a dragon.
Learning new things along the way.

You grow into a teen,
Learning the horrors of this world.
Thinking you can do everything on your own like a wolf,
Thinking that you are as invincible as the one who created you.
Thinking that you are alone,
That no one wants to bother being with you.

As you grow older,
You find everything that you used to say wasn't true.
You find that you can be the free eagle once again,
You find that you don't have to worry,
That there are people who want to be with you.

You remember that you have a family,
And that you aren't alone.
Finding that you no longer have to hide,
That you don't have to be afraid any longer
You show great wisdom like the owl of your past,
And it leads you with the light that is your future.

Nearing the end of your life,
You grow old and weak,
Feeling like the mysterious mist in the air.
As the darkness takes over,
And the light closes in,
You say your goodbyes,
With a smile on your face,
Becoming one with the earth,
While another takes your place.

A bridge of hope lies ahead.
Where clouds of silver litter the ground,
And the one who created you, welcomes you
With gates of gold,
That open so you can see,
All your loved ones,
When all the lights go out, and the Earth goes to sleep.