Auld Lang Sine

I knew him back when he was sharp,
A gentle-man who played his part
As top exec in local joint,
When I filled in for dad – at point –

When dad got sick with stage-four-C,
And I stepped in to helper be,
Until the back-up came back there;
Two weeks for dad that can’t compare.

This man (I met again last night),
Helped me to do dad's job just right;
Then guided me in weeks ahead,
With this and that when dad was dead.

A little older than myself,
When I was sitting on the shelf;
He saw in me some valued work,
Not like the rest (“some kind of jerk”).

Last night we watched friend Bruce’s play,
About a man they pushed away
In Spain, way back in Franco’s time;
His life expunged just as was mine.

Yet now they’ve brought him back to mind,
A brilliant linguist in his time;
Well known throughout the world for books,
And poetry, who closely looked –

At life beneath the smooth veneer,
Would speak his mind once things were clear;
But “true believers” hate free speech,
Destroy free men, to lessen teach –

“For you there’ll be an unmarked grave;
No shred of memory we'll save;
To those from here – those not yet born –
You’ll not exist – to others warn”.

I felt that both from left and right;
Feels just the same when in their sights;
But think a moment – for us all
In fifty years few will recall –

Our fleeting moment on the stage;
And few will read our written page;
Impact lies not in memory,
But in our present quality.

My friend cannot all words recall;
Enjoys his life, and best of all
His trips to countries far and wide,
With wife and kids there by his side.

But I remember you, my friend,
Your challenge now I comprehend;
Your kindnesses like planted seed,
Will now return and meet your need.

Last night, a night 'bout memory
Expunged and lost – two parts I see;
I’m so aware (I can’t recall)
And smile – for such affects us all.

So Bruce, I thank you for your play,
And chance to hear once more you say,
Through mono-dialogue and scene,
“Remember who we once have been?”

For as we gather, colleagues, friends,
You help us think, our ways amend;
Then as we chat upon the steps,
We “drink that cup of kindness – yet”.

navigation