"The Winter Years of Life"

Ron Kinard (c) 2002

as the leaves turn brown

dying and falling from the trees as they float on a gentle breeze

coming to a final rest before

the snows of winter engage their wrath

thoughts of years gone by

rising to the surface of the mind

reminding us of our mortality

youth is gone, the decades taken their toll

hopefully good memories will overtake some of the bad ones

only the hope of a better life lies ahead in Heaven

peaceful thoughts come into play

playful memories bring a smile

as we submit to the inevitable

we can only pray death will be quick and painless

snow covered mountain peaks

shadowing the withering forest below

crackling are the branches beneath the weight

each step is a challenge

each step is an uphill climb

as we succumb to

the winter years of life