My "Passages" Poem and Billy Collins "Schoolsville" -- Are we all growing old?

Chickadee in my front yard feeder

Don't answer that question so quickly. I know already.

Today I was reading a Billy Collins poetry compilation book while off-and-on watching my newly installed bird feeder. In his poem "Schoolsville," he reminisces about his long teaching career (as I sometimes do). He begins, "Glancing over my shoulder at the past, / I realize the number of students I have taught / is enough to populate a small town," and he goes from there.

In my poem Passages, I have a similar realization while in the garden.

Read it and let me know what you think!

When I was a little boy (seems like yesterday),

I understood deeply the meaning of time—

Passing like the water between my legs

When I waded in the creek, cold and clear...

Read the entire poem here