Alas, the brash youth. br He bartered with the devil br the very life he sought to keep. br br Usurping the Life that created him, br he gave up the blessings of God. br br What a foolish Dorian Gray! br Like unthinking Esau br he traded his birthright br for the lust and sparkle br of the immediate moment. br br Sadly, he failed to grasp that his life br never belonged to him anyway, br and now that which he feared the most br has become his reality. br br If only he chosen to forever dwell br in the one Life animating all things br and holding them together. br br Then like Moses, br even in his old age, br he could walk, br with a spring in his step br and a twinkle in his eye.