Blaze

BLAZE I was but a sapling in a dark forest glen... ...He carried an ax in the shape of a pen, And he swung it deep and he swung it true I carry a blaze to follow life through. An ordinary sapling no different from the rest I wear the blaze proudly --- a badge on my chest -He took no notice as he went on his way But I carry that mark to this very day. A sapling no different except for the blaze Threading life slowly through forested maze Following trails he marked with his pen Finding chips of wisdom again and again. Years passed by and the bark grew rough But the blaze was deep and it was just enough To mark the trail when the going was hard Or deuces showed up every turn of the card. Smoke of countless campfires through many winters' rime Drifted past blazes he marked with his rhyme. An old trail followed no different from the rest Passed a sapling grown up mature to the test A little taller and straighter -- truly blest. ...He carried an axe in the shape of a pen. I am truly blest, for he swung it -again. for Paul Croy By James D. Ellen