Alone, I stared at the empty place
Encompassing my time and space
'Tis ringed by an old and worn out fence
That's moved from past to present tense
They see me with unblinking eyes
They look so weathered, seem so wise
Talk to them? Perhaps I should
Those aged faces in the wood.
The quiet place where I can go
They counsel me when I am low
Learned wisdom they dispense
Staring from the worn out fence
Mistakes and successes I can trace
Find understanding in every face
Talk to them? Might do some good
Those time-worn faces in the wood.
The brightest sun, the hardest rains
Some still smile despite their pains
The distance seen may be immense
Imprisoned in that tired fence
From their counsel will I have learned
Before they are torn down and burned?
They talk back? ... If only they could
Those aged faces in the wood
SHS 7.8.99
