once on a time there was a road
went winding by my door.
and fain i was to travel it
in search of golden store.
and o! how oft with heavy heart
the weary miles i trod,
and many a sorry tale i learned
upon the open road.
often times i was made glad
and oft my heart was sore.
for folk who traveled on the road
that winded by my door.
adventure came, aye many a time,
and even now i sigh.
and sorry am to count the times
the false gods caught my eye.
but now i keep a little spot
just off the busy road,
and there i patient, wise-eyed wait
those of the heavy load.{64}
and kindly then i draw them in
while warm heart talks to heart.
and when night darkens i have found
we’re sorry for to part.
this happened too once on a time
when i was weak and sore.
i drew a jewel from the road
that winded by my door.
but then i very often find
two roads so different meet,
and many a friend i’ve found and kept
for whom i did not seek.
