There are times when we become aware

Many people do stop, pause and stare 

And then point with their little finger

As tongues have wagged, and now linger



And realization comes we - are the butt

Of jokes they make, and thus - we put

Away our tools for awhile - and hide

Because it becomes hard for it to slide



Off our backs - like water from a duck

And when we feel we are plumb out of luck

From somewhere we find - a new source

Of inspiration which we can course



Through our veins to make the blood flow

And even though it pumps - so very slow

We know darn well it is indeed right there

For we felt it when we plopped into chair



And now we sing with the warble of a bird

Trying so hard, above the din - to be heard

And songs now drift from beaks not sharpened

For melodies there can be without carping



And so we now prepare ourselves for next leg

Of a journey which can be resumed at a peg

Which was left as a marker from long ago

When the air was cool and upon ground - snow



Which made us cold when outside we roamed

But provided us with warm from inside home

And prompted us to sing songs deep from within

As we played with rhythm and harmony to win



Praise and appreciation which then gave way

To deep feelings of satisfaction as we played

And now we have turned around this next corner

We will shine more completely as we garner



Added strength from all we have been through

As we muster greater courage and now do skew

Around new roads with even newer surfaces

As we steer our way through ruts and prefaces



Which have been dogging us through miles before

As we drove through gates and by pummeled shores

But even though our hearts were sometimes pulled

Our minds never allowed the tautness to be full



And so we shall go on and search out fulfillment

For even though we are bright with used filament

We know deep down the lightbulb will eventually go

But we shall continue until there's no more to show.



- Tristram