Coloring books and funny looks
when a girl first gave you a kiss.
Buzzin' flies in endless skies
of a time you'll start to miss.
Things that crawl from winter to fall
'round the edge of your backyard pond.
It's a crime 'cause all these times
are now in the years that are gone.

Baseball games in summer rains
which nobody ever won.
Drinkin' beer without any fears
'cause your life had just begun.
Now it's past 'cause time moves fast
and your life must always move on.
It's not the same; your friends have changed
from the years that are gone.

No one knows why or how things happen the way they do
Growin' old is for others; but when did it happen to you.

Now I write on through the night;
I'm more tired then I use to be.
Youth brought many daring thoughts
which will never return to me.
No longer bold, just very old
with experience to live upon.
Light fades away to mark more days
that are not in the years that are gone.

thomas theiler