You are a doctor now - I've heard <br />A colourful glass jar <br />Your figure <br />With a dedicative label <br />Of service to the sick and the suffering. <br /> <br />I've heard <br />Your dreams have come true <br />The waning, waxing moons <br />Of quaint wishes <br />We saw together <br />Have blossomed to fullness. <br />Away and beyond <br />In lands overseas <br />All chapters of your book <br />Of youthful ambitions <br />Have come to be written. <br /> <br />I've heard <br />You have got all you ever <br />Wished for, desired. <br />All ideals realized. <br />A higher academic degree <br />Fame, renown and status <br />A pretty home <br />A loving husband - and children! <br /> <br />Salutations <br />Best wishes <br />For all th' laurels won <br />All that you've done. <br /> <br />But O my Messiah <br />Of long-forgotton woes! <br />Did you ever give <br />A backward glance? <br /> <br />The time-worn memory album <br />Was always there to see <br />Faces, friendly and faithful <br />Dust-laden though <br />In the pledges of everlasting rememberance. <br /> <br />What lenses <br />Of remorse <br />Will ever reveal visages of past? <br />How'll you ever <br />Bridge the empty spaces <br />Rolling from dreams <br />To eyes - and beyond? <br />How'll you ever <br />Put soothing balm <br />On your self-afflicted wounds?<br /><br />Naseer Ahmed Nasir<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/epistle-to-an-old-friend/
