I Sit Beside The Fire

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 ever 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--

"Elbereth Gilthoniel,

"Silivren penna miriel

"O menel aglar elenath!

"Nachaered palandiriel

"O galadhremmin ennorath

"Fanuilos, lelinnathon

"Nef aear, si nef aearon!

"Nef aearon!"

I listen for returning feet

And voices at the door