Wisdom is Born

 

The varnish of life has given way

to the grains which now hold sway

Twinkling eyes are now gently dimmed

as the beard I wear is seldom trimmed

 

From this aged and sallow countenance

is a voice worn by years of utterance

But behind these wrinkled features

is the mind of an old and wise teacher

 

The mortal frame now creaks with age

but a mind alert is that of a coming sage

The years have carried me thus far

no longer do I lean against a landlord's bar

 

Mellowed with age and gifted with wisdom

I am prepared for that far off kingdom

But before I bid my final farewell

I have many a story that I must tell

 

Listen closely as an oracle is born

with words and predictions galore

I have studied and lived in the distant past

and what I now say will certainly last