On Growing Older

Intro: verse 1 The scarecrow stood with his head held high Admiring the view from the hill The waterfall scattered its glistening jewels As the heron stood gracefully still It seemed I looked without seeing I failed to grasp what I saw For all of Nature's beautiful gifts I blissfully chose to ignore Interlude: verse 2 Sandy beaches and soft swelling tides Invite the inquisitive young And caviar, oysters and pate de foie Invite the discerning tongue So comes the desire to be lost awhile In the depths of the forest glade Midst the cool deep greens where ancient oaks Cast wonderous spells in their shade Interlude: verse 3 And if sometimes I feel in retrospect A regret for the waste of my youth Then I pause to reflect that I still have time Before growing long in the tooth To achieve all the things that I should have achieved When idleness led me astray And being aware of what I have missed I'm extending my use of the day