Billy Edward's Ride 1st Half

\ Hopped out early from his bunk bed Jumped into his old blue jeans Slipped his hand into his pocket Found enough change for a drink Put his tennie to the kickstand Hopped aboard his three-speed bike Smiled in great anticipation Drew a breath of summertime Strapped his helmet to his noggin Heading on a morning ride He had reason to be smiling Now that this day had arrived Billy rode along the asphalt Like a bird he felt so free No more classrooms, no more homework School was out for twelve whole weeks He cruised past Demato's grocery An old stucco painted white Where good gossip was the staple Soft-boiled peanuts on the side Heard some geese honk from the mill pond Saw a yearling near the pass Billy eased off on the pedals Trying to make the moment last Sunlight gently swept across him O'er the treeline at the rise Fragrant honeysuckle blossomed In the holler near Route Five And he wondered about Heaven Could it be as nice as this He was sure of one thing nicer His dear grandpa whom he missed As miles disappeared behind him And his thirst began to build He had one more place to visit For his trip to be fulfilled Soon he reached the Tower Toll Bridge Though no toll was ever paid Inside joke by the designers Built for one car, either way In the distance he could see it A lone tombstone on a grave The old church that stood beside it Had a century's decay He dismounted at the entrance And approached the ancient sign All it said was Billy Edwards Born in eighteen-fifty-nine Date of death gone to erosion But his age was given - eight And the last time Billy came here Both their ages were the same For a full year he had worried If he'd die within that time Just the same as Billy Edwards Now he had some peace-of-mind