In the life I lived yesterday, gone as the ashes
of the bridges I'd crossed to wooded places
I'd conquered and no longer wished to go
Having used them I let them burn
What good were they, but to illuminate my prospects
for the next steps, and the next, and the next
No, I cannot go back
And must never look behind
Ahead, ahead!
A race to the horizon
Go the ardent steps of my life;
And nearer my death
softly, softer become the steps.
In the life I live now, familiar and true
I walk a forest of proud grown trees
I did not seed,
But where I began to linger,
Hesitating... at the beauty
Of height and things larger than me;
Learning
That I must look up
To a Sky above
I know exists but cannot see
What good is it
But for the Faith I hold on to
For the next steps, and the next, and the next
Oh, for a moment longer
Here, beneath these boughs
Above, above!
Something watches
The measured steps of my life
With forgiveness and love
softly, softer become the steps
In the life I'll live tomorrow, promised as the dawn
I will tread more humbly upon the ground
Learned and patient
Though others may pass
And carry fire with them, reckless and rash
I will not fight or try to restrain
Or get them to see
This forest, for the trees....
What good is it,
But to seed the ashes; and grow trees for their return
For the next steps, and the next, and the next.
Then, when my purpose is found
I will leave this life and my labored steps
Behind, behind.
And pray others may learn the beauty
Of patience and respect
softly, softer become the steps.
of the bridges I'd crossed to wooded places
I'd conquered and no longer wished to go
Having used them I let them burn
What good were they, but to illuminate my prospects
for the next steps, and the next, and the next
No, I cannot go back
And must never look behind
Ahead, ahead!
A race to the horizon
Go the ardent steps of my life;
And nearer my death
softly, softer become the steps.
In the life I live now, familiar and true
I walk a forest of proud grown trees
I did not seed,
But where I began to linger,
Hesitating... at the beauty
Of height and things larger than me;
Learning
That I must look up
To a Sky above
I know exists but cannot see
What good is it
But for the Faith I hold on to
For the next steps, and the next, and the next
Oh, for a moment longer
Here, beneath these boughs
Above, above!
Something watches
The measured steps of my life
With forgiveness and love
softly, softer become the steps
In the life I'll live tomorrow, promised as the dawn
I will tread more humbly upon the ground
Learned and patient
Though others may pass
And carry fire with them, reckless and rash
I will not fight or try to restrain
Or get them to see
This forest, for the trees....
What good is it,
But to seed the ashes; and grow trees for their return
For the next steps, and the next, and the next.
Then, when my purpose is found
I will leave this life and my labored steps
Behind, behind.
And pray others may learn the beauty
Of patience and respect
softly, softer become the steps.