Vacant, ancient, old man Barney,
What do your excess of wrinkles imply,
On what impulse did I frame your gaze,
What does this picture before me lie?

Why do you stare on through me,
Through what I do and what I am?
Though I knew you, I know you not,
Who were you old man?

Lately you cast a fear on my heart.
Today there's a path where my tears have been.
Where does the newborn baby you were
Hide in your shriveled skin?

My children are playing among my feet,
Happiness lies in their way,
Can you be here to remind me
To fix my eyes on today?

To etch my wrinkles in delight,
To carve the crevasses in play,
To hold the hand of one I love,
To fix my eyes on today.