I search through leafs of carefree past
In scribbled lines left half undone
For wisdoms sage to point the path
Back to where it first begun
My one last chance to grip the quill
And spin the trials of venture bold
A gift to those that follow still
By spinning folly into gold

Ere break of day and dawns caress
Till sunset lays our cares to rest
We march and toil to gain what's true
With burdens many, respites few
And labor on with hope that may
In some small measure light the way
Of those dear ones in times accord
Who carry close the treasured word
Our presence left in some small part
Indelibly writ upon the heart

I've glimpsed the muse but ever on
Whomever reads the words I've drawn
Can only see the dimmer hues
Of inspirations fete subdued
Reflected in the oft tried guise
And only in what dreams surmise
To catch the softly fleeting knell
Of muses boldly colored spell

Oh dear! Oh dear! What is this?
Something seems to be amiss
Before so sure was I
But now am left to wonder why
For what compelled my short sojourn
Has left me now in but a turn
For in the span from there to here
All thought for naught has disappeared

Regrets' embrace stirs past the hour
Ere long after best forgot
Anguished lamentations auger
Stains the shade of envies plot
Follower of deeds most dour
Bears the pall in every wake
Bids inter the tangled flower
Of passion birthed for envies sake

In better days of better ways we chanced upon the mind
Of great and grand adventure, of great and grand design
To sail the open seas coursing near and far
Uncharted in the ways, unguided by the stars
At the mercy of the wind we vied the stormy seas
To mount the raging crests and weather in the lees
Onward ever onward past reasons reach we strove
To gather to our ******* the sum of wisdoms trove

Who can know and thus foretell the imaginary line
Twixt everlasting doubt and certainty sublime
Once declined counts twice betrayed where constant pressure parts
The ties that bind us each to all from one to many hearts
Passions presence aching seek the solace of the grave
Heavens hand forbade ere reasons' eulogy forgave
Within the vein of separate mind where war these wedded foes of mine
Of hearts desire and reasons doubt besotted, battle locked, in time