The Reunion

On entering the room that afternoon
I felt the joy of moments long ago,
recalling stories penned in ancient rune;
saw faces from the past I used to know;
     the old familiar faces of my brothers.

I walked around the room and shook their hands,
exchanging hugs with brothers from my past,
and sharing tales, recalling all our plans,
of future dreams back then we had amassed;
     the ever hopeful daydreams of my brothers.

As we exchanged the greetings of this day
and caught up on the moments spent apart,
we shared old stories somewhere tucked away
while laughter poured from deep within our hearts;
     the old familiar laughter of my brothers.

Yet as we talked I noticed in their eyes
how time had stolen moments of their youth,
a fate that even time could not disguise,
their faces bearing tell-tale lines of truth;
     the certain aging faces of my brothers.

And as my eyes scanned slowly round the room,
my mind saw faces that have disappeared,
their voices echo from a distant tomb,
their faces fade to shadows vaguely clear;
     the shadows of the ghosts of missing brothers.


January 26, 2025
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025


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Date: 3/15/2025 3:17:00 PM
How very emotional I am after reading your write that expresses feelings everyone over 40 has also felt. You didn't use words like melancholy, wistful, or just the simple word, sad. But I sensed such emotion in your lines and especially when I read, "... saw those who weren't there." I will never have a reunion because I attended 3 different high schools in 3 different states, but I did just go to yours so now I've experienced such. CayCay
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John Gondolf
Date: 3/17/2025 2:30:00 AM
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments, CayCay, it is always gratifying to know that your words have made the reader feel the emotions. Hugs, John
Date: 1/29/2025 10:19:00 AM
Father was a minister, we always moved around. But I do have FB for those reunions. This poem took me back to too many things to remember.
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John Gondolf
Date: 1/30/2025 2:43:00 AM
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments, John, I appreciate it.
Date: 1/26/2025 4:55:00 PM
The ending of each stanza touches me deeply. ' my brothers. ' A connection has been made and will never be broken. This thought is beautiful and tender. ' the old familiar laughter of my brothers. ' Those moments and memories last a lifetime. Indeed, they do. The ending is sad, but I do understand. Your words tug at the heartstrings, my dear friend. My best to you. Hugs, Brandy
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John Gondolf
Date: 1/26/2025 5:19:00 PM
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Brandy, I appreciate your support and encouragement. My best to you. Hugs, John
Date: 1/26/2025 1:14:00 PM
you've described this very well, john, and i could totally relate to the scene you've described...
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John Gondolf
Date: 1/26/2025 1:28:00 PM
Thank you, Ilene, I appreciate your thoughts and comments.
Date: 1/26/2025 11:03:00 AM
I know when I read a John Gondolph poem I'm going to get great meter and rhyme. That's at a minimum. But your happy/sad tale of old buddies reminiscing at a reunion and missing fallen comrades is outstanding. Well done
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John Gondolf
Date: 1/26/2025 11:08:00 AM
Thanks so much, Tom, your comments and support mean a lot to me. I have my 55th college reunion coming up in six weeks, that doesn't even seem possible.
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