"Ten Yards Down"
The old dog ran a pathway back and forth along the wall,
Silent pacing sentry in an exhibition hall
Fifteen years of running make the hard pack smooth as glass,
Winding bit of Oregon Trail cut through Bermuda grass

Routine is all that drives his world of moving feet,
Ten yards down, touch the wall, ten yards back, repeat
The rhythm speaks of inner focus, peace, and things of beauty,
Inside his tired aging mind he simply does his duty

Ten yards down - He's walking in my sleep
Ten yards down - pray the Lord his soul to keep
Ten yards down - touch the wall and then
Turn around the other way and ten yards back again

Faithful service to a master grown and moved away,
At his post the sentry guards with no complaint to say
His vision blurred and hearing gone, a gentle covering mask,
Feet and legs remember every step along the task
An old man sits alone and rocks while the sentry does his run,
He smiles to see that ol dog walk his trail in the sun
Stoops to fill the water dish, the sentry gains a treat,
Then ten yards down, touch the wall, ten yards back, repeat

Ten yards down - He's walking in my sleep
Ten yards down - pray the Lord his soul to keep
Ten yards down - touch the wall and then
Turn around the other way and ten yards back again




© 2016 Barnett Productions