Bilbo's Song

BILBO'S SONG
(J.R.R. Tolkien)

I sit beside the fire and think of all that I have seen
Of meadow-flowers and butterflies in summers that have been

Of yellow leaves and gossamer in autumns that there were
with morning mist and silver sun and wind upon my hair

I sit beside the fire and think of how the world will be
When winter comes without a spring that I shall ever see

For still, there are so many things that I have never seen
In every wood, in every spring there is a different green

I sit beside the fire and think of people long ago
And people who will see a world that I shall never know

But all the while I sit and think of times there were before
I listen for returning feet and voices at the door.