I’ve threaded the needle once or twice
And paid the price for my sacrifice.
But now old age has tempered me
I’m not the man I used to be.
When I was younger, or so it seemed,
I still had strength and hopeful dreams;
With youthful promise I fought for love –
Reached for the heaven and stars above
Countless days lost in desire,
Lived to set the world on fire.
But now my time has much diminished:
Where once I started, now I’m finished
Youthful dreams do mock my nights
I now awaken to winter lights.
My life unfolds in finite measure,
Robbed of all the things I treasure.
The circle of life has run its course,
And to this point I reinforce:
Don’t lay to waste each given day –
For all too soon we fade away.