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Gunslinger
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 901
TX, USA

0 posted 2019-09-01 11:23 PM


You know I got to thinking...
Of what real friendship is-
And figured out just why they say
That ignorance is bliss..
I find I'm well past sixty-
As I look back down the years
Of heartache and of hardship
Perhaps a million tears
No matter how I weigh it
I find this to be true
That when it comes to friendship
I've only had a few.
I guess that my old Grandpa
Was really my first friend
He gave me all the love he had
And loved me till the end.
When I was very little
And after a hard day
He always found the time and strength
To spend with me in play.
Then as he grew older-
Hard work took a dread toll-
As he drew near the crossing
Where death's dark waters roll
All though my life was shameful
And I caused his tears to fall
I was still his little buddy
And he loved me through it all.
I used to have a brother
It's true we'd often fight
We had our share of problems
Did not do each other right-
But when it came to trouble
Or facing an attack
I never had a single doubt
That he would watch my back.
With age we both grew harder
More resolute inside-
And seldom showed emotions
Too bound by foolish pride...
One night when he was drinking
And cheating on his wife
A coward took a shotgun
And with it took his life.
When he died, part of me did-
We were all each other had
I thought that time would heal the wound
But it still hurts me bad.
So after I consider
And all is done and said-
The few friends that I have had
I must confess are dead.

© Copyright 2019 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
1 posted 2019-09-02 07:42 PM


Death is easy.  Surviving, and being tasked with the telling of the tale, not so much.  You've done so with elegance though.  Your friends live so long as the memories of them do.
Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
2 posted 2019-09-04 01:47 AM


What a tragic story, John.

Paul Wilson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711
United States
3 posted 2019-09-04 01:50 PM


John...You are so right my friend, True friends are very rare and should hold a special place in our hearts to be cherished always. Enjoyed the poem very much...Paul

~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~
Paul

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