~> When An Old Man Dies

An old man is an archive,

holding records of past history.

They are kept alive and survive

in his memory.

There to share with you and me,

in his wondrous library.

``

In this depository of his mind,

treasures abound you will find.

And in 'the flames of death';

when an old man dies,

a library burns down.

``

Within these waning embers

the cost,

if not passed on.

These records of wisdom,

are forever lost.

Once an old man, is gone~ 

 ~^~^~^~^~^~^

these records of wisdom