An Old Friend

Staring down at waters murky Under tattered aging timbers My thoughts went back to the past And the life that I remembered. As I stood on those rustic boards And looked all round about me Came thoughts of life’s moments lost And those things that would never be. At times my heart was lost and restless, And life felt empty and so bare The losses brought my way often felt Much more than I could bear. I see the longing yet in my heart It keeps passing through me still My heart sad and ever restless, Although old, is yet strong willed. The sadness will never leave me, And acceptance never take its place And the sorrow of things I’ve lost Will always leave its trace. And I think of hours spent On my tattered rough-hewn friend Each slat bearing cares or sorrows, Calling me back yet once again. As long as the bridge remains And the muddy waters flow, As long as my heart holds sadness The bridge will calm my woes. Murky waters beneath a simple bridge, I’m thankful I stopped by many days And brought my thoughts along with me To scatter along an old friend’s way.