An Old Man's Poem

I read J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy when I was a young man over 60 tears ago. I saw the three film adaptations when they first came out, and am now re-watching them with my 17 year old grandson. We are halfway through, and I have been inspired to reread the trilogy. I have almost finished the first volume, The Fellowship of the Ring, and in the process read this poem that so much evokes the thoughts of an 87 year old man. 

 

I sit beside the fire and think

of all that I have seen,

Of meadow-flowers and butterflies

in summers that have been;

 

Of yellow leaves and gossamer

in autumn that there were,

with morning mist and silver sun

and wind upon my hair.

 

I sit beside the fire and think

of how the world will be

when winter comes without a spring

that I shall ever see.

 

For still there are so many things

that I have never seen:

in every wood and every spring

there is a different green.

 

I sit beside the fire and think

of people long ago,

and people who will see a world

that I shall never know.

 

But all the while I sit and think

of times there were before,

I listen for returning feet

and voices at the door.

 

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings

Here is a link to a piano solo of September Song with lyrics that express a similar sentiment.