This life's been a grand undertaking
On a long and tortuous trail;
Emotions and dreams kept us floating
Like ships breaking waves at full sail.

We've partaken of visual wonders...
Watched the trout rise to harvest a fly-
While mountains-- shaken by thunder-
Flashed neon beneath a lightning framed sky.

We've thrilled at the elk's lusty whistle
Marveled at spots on a fawn;
Then, quick as a shot from a pistol;
These symbols of freedom were gone.

We've rigged a team in dray trappings,
Sowed joy from a buckboard behind,
Motivated by multitudes clapping,
In response to old ballads aligned.

We've sought the fruits of the forest
Those ravaged and gutted by man,
Whose intentions- not always purest,
Embrace his municipal plan.

We've seen sections of lush vegetation
Which loss we may never atone,
Yield to a civilization...
To asphalt, skyscrapers and stone.

Ox wagons, once truly symbolic..
A vestige of migrations West
Wore wheels that proceeded the frolic
Of autos man soon would possess.

Songs written in delicate sonnets
Harmonized in a warm hearted swoon,
Emphasized a pure life on the planet-
While rockets raced up to the moon.

We've seen the invincible humbled
Our century nearly half gone,
From the full bloom of youth we have stumbled
And still time marches on.

Now fanatics die by the legion;
They call this, "Allegiance to God",
Others leap to defend each his region;
It's the righteous who bloody the rod!

It's peculiar the road we've traveled
And no doubt we'll traverse it again
Do not bolt as the world comes unraveled,
But, drive on, for great goodness remains.