I Saw An Old Man Smile, Enjoying a Book

I saw an old man smile, enjoying a book,
And leaves died lovely deaths in autumn;
A skipped rock trickled to the creek’s bottom,
And a poor boy’s brother shot him.

I saw an old man smile, enjoying a book,
And, at dinner, a family laughed with one another,
A dreamer saw himself in the eyes of his lover,
And a young man held his widow’d mother.

I saw an old man smile, enjoying a book,
And from the dust sprang art by the potter,
A prodigal son came home to his father,
While the practical used men as cannon fodder.

I saw an old man smile, enjoying a book,
And children played in earthy raptures,
While ole farmers made the land their pastors,
And concrete behemoths swallowed pretty pastures.

I saw an old man smile, enjoying a book,
And church bells softly sang in gothic domes,
The mountain river curled ‘round rocks in foams,
And progressive men deserted backward homes.

I saw an old man smile, enjoying a book,
And a young couple made the home their art,
The scent of biscuits tore our anxiety apart,
While the scientific man knew all but his own heart.

I saw an old man smile, enjoying a book,
And in his humble work the common man took joy,
While a youngin fought in the woods for Troy,
And a Daddy’s eyes wore sorrow, burying his baby boy.

I saw an old man smile, enjoying a book,
And leaves died lovely deaths in autumn;
And leaves died lovely deaths in autumn.

Print