Reminiscences

I met an old friend whom I hadn't seen in years We didn't get mushy, so no spilling of tears. However, we did sit and chat for a long while Reminiscences of a time that oft made us smile. He is one of a few people who I have known most of my life And I had thought of those days when we knew not strife. We talked about how we had been such wild kids indeed That now, for only our souls, our prayers needed to plead. We spoke of the generations in our understanding of love Our parents and grandparents, watching down now from above. Then, of our children for whom we wanted a better life there to be Realizing of course, that this is every parent's wish to see. We talked of the things we remembered most dear Lighting small images in my brain front and rear. Those few lights that are kept in that deep recess Are only allowed out, when thought of with much tenderness. There were other images there too That stuck to my mind, like paper to glue. Of course those images are now a nostalgic smatter At the time they occured, they were no laughing matter. We parted the eve with a solemn promise That we would continue to share these thoughts in us. For it is not often that you have a friend for so many years And the ones who are gone...for them I shed tears.