Holy Man of the Blackfoot”, by Howard Terpning
Years ago, when I thought I would live forever, the thrust of youth seemed endless, like the sky expanding to hold my dreams.
The path to knowledge was filled with expectation, yet
Disillusion blurred my eyes and in my sleep a holy man appeared
To warn me about life’s treachery. When I was young, the world lay within my grasp, but I partook of folly just as I embraced youth’s vanity.
Now as old age wraps me in consideration of my end,
I rejoice in small things unnoticed until now when children’s laughter becomes music of the deepest kind, and in the budding trees I find a thousand summers that I will never live to see.
Now I am glad for the opportunity to share the lessons of my own time.
Now I know the mistakes of my foolish youth could not have been avoided.
