An old man dies when time is past
when burdens are great to the last
when lives known have all said farewell
when memory’s lost, nothing to tell

An old man passes from life’s page
no longer standing on the stage
Taking with, part of history
Leaving behind, life’s great mystery

The withered hands of countless shakes
of garden hoes, hatchets and rakes
Too many miles tilling a row
Dying now slow, letting it go

Eyes that show the brilliance of youth
from wagons to lemonade booth
Girls at the dance, the promenade
trying times, wishing he had stayed

The drive of youth and passion fires
lost to age, as the flame expires
Weary, worn, lost vitality
Time to go, set the stallion free.

Lips still soft, wishing one last kiss
Dreams that wander, moments of bliss
hearing the children's laughs and cries
Old man’s vision, lost when he dies.