TO WALK BENEATH ASPENS

I always thought I'd go out west
during the early weeks of fall
and roam Rocky Mountains in a quest
for antelope, mule deer, elk and all.

But I must wait 'till school is done
my priorities were clear and set.
There's no hunting under summer's sun.
My time to go was not here yet.

And still I dreamed of aspen's gold
but there was work that must be done
building a business, truth be told
along with marriage and first son.

Oh, there was time but always scattered
never enough for a trip there.
I had to do what really mattered
a life to make and love to share.

Even so, whenever fall turned cold
I'd dream of scattered mountain meadows
outlined by aspen leaves of gold
where I'd walk among the mottled shadows.

Things came up as is their way
building a home for sons and wife
all things to be done day to day
as passing time became a life.

Even while hunting southern deer
amid maple, oak and poplar trees
in familiar forests near and dear
I'd dream of aspens quaking in the breeze.

But there was always this or that
until now at last my window's passed.
I'm too lame, too old and way too fat.
Those mountain views will go un-glassed.

I long yet to walk in scattered trees
of straight burnished aspens in the fall
while listening to the distant tease
of a far off elk's high haunting call.