Out Of My Element

I am not lost for I remember all but age and grim fatigue remove me from my world I close my eyes to see the slow black waters of my home the egret searches the shallows overhead the osprey soars the multitude of fish have always fed these creatures there are no managers no delivery trucks bringing what the swamp may need the mighty alligator is satisfied deer and turkey roam the banks the squirrel stores its winter acorns there is abundance here that tells me Eden is not dead to us in a palmetto thicket a panther sleeps although I know I cannot go when I gaze into the darkened night I remember all the lessons learned