In the Winter of My Years

Once I walked among sequoia trees

And found a place of peace that rarely these

Second and third growth forests cannot compare.

I came upon a fern-filled hollow there

That held more secrets than the minds of men

And saw as I shall never see again

A pristine beauty and a wild delight

Where panthers ran and played within my sight

As sunbeams fell through leaves in silver rays.

Gone now is youth and carefree youthful days

Time has diminished me I am grown small.

Aware of my deficiencies I call

In the wilderness alone to one I know

To guide me on the perilous path I go,

Yet have no concerns and certainly no fears

Of what will be in the winter of my years.