The Bench

The Bench

I sat upon the bench one day,
That I might watch the world at play.
I did not see the fading light
Upon the bench I spent the night.

But then the day began anew,
The rising sun came to my view,
I thought that I might linger still,
Upon the bench, at my own will.

But soon the days became a week;
I could not move nor could I speak.
The weeks now months, turned to years
I view the world through my own tears.

As seasons rolled on steady track
Children brought their children back.
Yet here upon the bench I stay,
That I might watch the world at play.

All that I've seen should make one wise
The changing world before my eyes.
But wisdom's gift I shall not give,
Afraid of life I did not live!

William E. Lee
Copyright 1996