I Took Myself Walking

I took myself walking the other day, not far from the city's decay A small patch of solitude beckoned to me, 'til I came to take rest,by the old stump of a tree. Sure I took myself walking and alone here I sit, disgusted with life and close to a fit. With face cupped in hands and eyes a-staring out straight, I thought to myself, "What will be my fate?" Self-pity had just about taken it's toll, when that old stump piped up, with the voice of my soul. "Look here young fella,what's got you so low?" "Life's got me defeated', I said kinda slow. "Life's got you defeated--just look what I've got, a face charred by fire and a heart full of rot. I've got critters chewing me inside and out, and I'm darned close to dying,there is little doubt. But am I discouraged?--not on your life. I've served a good purpose, with my offspring and wife". And looking around, what should I see, but hundreds of saplings and another old tree. "We've given the earth much more than we've taken, if you do the same, you won't be forsaken. Just go back and face life with it's ups and it's downs. Back to your life in cities and towns. But come back again, if you feel yourself slippin', If more people went walking, there'd be less of them flippin'. I