I had a birthday on Saturday, and I turned 21. One's 21st birthday means coming of age, and being officially considered an adult. So, I got to thinking about time and my future life as an adult, and a great poem by J.R.R. Tolkien came to mind. Here it is--enjoy.

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 never 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.

By J.R.R. Tolkien (from The Fellowship of The Ring)

--Mbo