Another Chance to Live

I wandered 'bout the earth
But never really saw
The gentle, fabled woods of old
The beasts of tooth and claw1

From road to road I traveled
Stopping here and there
But never did I take a look
At what life had to share2

Flowers twisted upon the vine
Hills of dappled green
Pebbles on the sunlit shore
Water, pure and clean3

Stones that sat in silent rows
Clad in gentle moss
Gliding 'cross the shifting waves
Shadows of an albatross4

I never listened to the song
Of nature, smooth and sweet
Never heard this piping sound
Upon the dusty street5

The clicks and clacks of angered ants
The crooning of a loon
Buzzing of a wicked fly
The cries of a baboon6

Flutterings of restless birds
The river rushing by
The clashes and the roaring
Of storms within the sky7

And my hands, once young and strong
Never stopped to feel the love
Of nature, deep in hollow sleep
From low to far above8

The smoothness of a dolphin's back
The roughness of the sand
My children's tiny little feet
The richness of the land9

I toiled in an empty waste
That was my work and home
Never paused to take a look
Feeling that I shouldn't roam10

Hours passed yet I stil sat
Working in night
Precious life was wasting
Slipping out of sight11

Nature did not hide from me
It waited every day
Yet still I simply turned around
And quickly walked away12

And then, one night, upon my bed
With death approaching fast
A sickness of a fatal note
Made this day my last13

I opened up my heart to life
My eyes, my ears, and hand
Like taking in a fresh new breath
And now I understand14

Nature loved me, all my life
She cared for me, for me she fought
Even though I never thought
To thank her for the work she wrought15

I saw the face of death today
Past swirling robes of black
And there was Nature, smiling
Ready now to take me back16

Reaching out, she took my hand
A gleaming light upon her face
And guided me beyond that room
To another time and place17

Darkness, then a blinding light
As I was born once more
Eyes that opened once again
To see what was in store18

I received a gift that day
Nature does forgive
Another chance to feel the love
Another chance to live19