No matter what you did, or didn’t do, on New Year’s Eve,
It’s time to contemplate the influence you‘re bound to weave.
Oh, yes you will, unconsciously, sans intent or design;
And it may be most anything—there is no Bottom Line.
Your children are a good example—influence is seen;
In fact, they are the living proof what influences mean.
Parental influence, however, may well be not the only thing;
What they are influenced by may very well change everything.
It doesn’t stop with youth; for as you age you are observed;
And what you say and how you dress, are actually reserved.
Throughout your life your influence is both alive and well;
And what you may be influenced by, only you can tell.
There is a contradiction here, when age comes to the fore—
When what you think and say is not accepted as before.
When your age is compared to dirt, your influence will wane;
In fact, you won’t be listened to—senility will gain.
That being said, all the above is easy enough to gauge;
As long as you don’t make a point to ask about my age.
Just make your own determinations, now that you know why;
Access how easily you see how influences apply.
© Richard Williams