What is life?

Here are some thoughts on the meaning of life.
When you realize that money and power are only
endless mirages, you wonder what it's all about;
here are my thoughts:

I used to think of life as
measured on a yardstick
20, 25, 30, 60 and so on.

But I find myself
Less strong, steady, dependable,
dead.

Instead
Weak, flexible, pulsing,
full of

LIFE

is more a rubber band
stretching around objects
expanding and contracting
with use

is more a bud, opening in
its own time
some slowly, others rapid
the bloom is the best
don't rush it

is more a flame
brief, bright, easily blown
consuming cannot see
it's own light

And what if power
no longer a fist
or a hammer or scythe

is only a magnet,
measured in force of
attraction

qualified in whether
it is positive
or negative
or nothing at all