Mnemosyne -

Mnemosyne -

Dear old friend,
Who I haven't seen since '83.
Age has taken its toll on my eyes,
But I can still see how time has treated you.
Lines of laughter circle your lips,
And that vanity still shines in your baby blues.
I wonder where you've been all this time,
Who you've met and what you've seen.
But who am I to ask?

Do you remember the day we met,
And how I was but a young, shy lass then?
Could barely look you in the eye,
When you smiled and greeted me.
Seemed so foolish then,
But looking back,
I'm thankful for everything you've done--
Even when you tripped me
On my way to grace.
I remember how you'd tease me,
And run away when I cried.
I remember how I got you into detention,
And smugly skipped around the playground.
Friendship is so strange,
How two people could be so cruel,
But everything was still so right.

Little boy, now a grown family man,
Who I haven't seen since '96.
Age has taken its toll on my eyes,
But I can still see the paths you've wandered.
There's a firm smile set on your lips,
And the mischief still glints in those baby browns.
I wonder where you went to when you left,
Who you've danced with and what made you smile.
But who am I to ask?

Do you remember when we were young,
And we were seated together in school?
You smiled at me and made me laugh,
We'd get in trouble with Teacher all the time.
Seemed so foolish then,
But looking back,
I'm thankful for everything you've done--
Even when you walked away,
And told me it was goodbye.
I remember how you'd laugh at me,
And say something sweet when I'd least expect it.
I remember how I'd make a surprise visit while you worked,
But you'd always spot me and sneak up on me first.
Young love is so strange,
How two people could be an entire contradiction,
Yet everything would still be so right.

Mother and Father dearest,
Who're long gone now.
Age has taken its toll on my mind,
But I still recall that sorrowful day.
Your skin was pale and drenched,
Your eyes wary as they came to a final close.
I wonder if your life was as complete as mine,
What you'd lived through, who you'd dealt with.
But now I can never ask.

Do you remember that day long ago,
You held me close and sang me to sleep?
Your scent was my air,
Your arms were my home.
Seemed so simple then,
But looking back,
I only wish I'd done more for you--
I never did tell you that, did I?
I remember how you'd do all you could,
To keep me happy and full of joy.
I remember how I'd roll my eyes,
But embrace you to the heart's content when I could.
The bonds of a family are so strange,
How everyone could be from different worlds,
But all would still find a place to call 'home' in one another.

Do you remember when...?