In Growing Old Poem by Barry Middleton

fire consumes the mightiest of trees
the brittle wood cut down at last
to block the winter cold

old men pursue the light in dying flames
till glowing coals are memories
of passion and desire

deep within the dark a whispered prayer
will know the wisdom of the fire
when I am born again

but I return to earth in suffering
to build my fragile house anew
the infant's hungry cry

the seed has fallen on the forest floor
where grows a tiny miracle
that takes but what it needs