Old friend, in our younger days we could <br />Race down this path, through these woods <br />Heels flung high, muscles astrain <br />To the redbud tree and back again. <br />We'd run even through the misty rain, <br />Through sputtering snow, wind tossed, <br />Through autumn leaves crisp with frost. <br />And then we'd sit upon the log to rest <br />Where the wild rabbit had her nest. <br />And then, not on any given day, <br />We just did not care to race, <br />But ambled along at a leisurely pace. <br />Paused to listen to the cat birds song, <br />The scolding of the blue jays <br />And watched the feisty squirrels at play. <br />Sometimes we would walk in bright moonglow <br />Where lacy shadows cast strange forms. <br />The gurgle of the creeks swift flow <br />Blended with the scurring of little feet <br />Of some wild creature we chanced to meet. <br />Oft times you'd sit, your head upon my knee <br />Your warm brown eyes aplead with me <br />For one short romp. but I could not go <br />For rheum-age had a grip of me. <br />Age dimmed your eyes with a cloudy haze, <br />And you no longer heard me call your name. <br />White crept into your all black hair <br />And your legs became stiff and lame <br />And we only walked on sunshine days. <br />For sixteen years we walked this lane <br />Down to the redbud tree and back again. <br />The redbud tree is gone. Felled by an icy storm <br />And now you are gone. Old age took you today. <br />This morning I found your cold, still form. <br />Sometime in the night you just slept away. <br />Old friend, my heart is heavy with sorrow <br />For I shall walk alone, come tomorrow. <br />But I can remember how we used to run <br />On strong young legs, just for fun <br />Down to and around the redbud tree <br />A very young dog and a younger me.<br /><br />Mary Jane Miller<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/old-friend-in-our-younger-days/
