To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time by Robert Herrick - Gather Ye Rosebuds

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To the materialist, this poem means:

'Live before you are food for the worms, for there are no second chances'.

To others, this poem means:

'There are natural stages in each life on Earth, the neglect of which may lead to disappointment'.

To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he's to setting.

That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry;
For having lost but once your prime,
You may forever tarry.

Robert Herrick - 1591-1674