At best I'm not a talkative man

Unless there's a willing ear.

And then I babble on no end

Of that you'll have no fear.

It seems there is no subject

That's beyond my memory.

And that's the tale that has no end

Much like my ancient history.

But then the hour strikes the time,

No ear to hear me prattle.

For relief has come to the patient ear,

Like a baby who lost his rattle.

I wonder why in silence I sit,

When there's so much of me to give.

The stories I tell are not pray tell,

Of a life that I have lived.