A Mother's Lament

How did it get so late so soon?
I've been taken by surprise.
But grant me this, a final boon,
try to see life through my eyes.

Where did the time go, from then till now?
I couldn't even tell you.
It passed me by so fast, somehow,
that I'm left without a clue.

You've all grown up and gone away
across the state you're strewn.
And here I sit, wrinkled and gray -
how did it get so late so soon?

About this poem: ▼

Written For: "The Not-So-Daily Poem"  for Sept. 1, 2022
Prompt & Restrictions:
(a) You must use the following quote from Dr. Seuss: "How did it get so late so soon?"
(b) You may not use: tick, tock, minute(s), hour(s), year(s), or birthday.
(c) Your poem must be at least 8 lines.
Form & Rhyme Scheme: Quatrain rhymed in ABAB
Line Count: 12