TheBanyanTree: Lifetime Friend

[NancyIee at aol.com]

Lifetime Friend

Childhood sweethearts,
We went to the prom,
You gave me a ring
For friendship, you said.
We weren't ready for more.

Our paths then diverged:
You went off to war
And other endeavors,
And I stayed in place
And danced my own song.

We each had a family.
We talked about our kids
And the memories we shared.
Our friendship increased
With new understanding.

The children were grown.
You lost your wife
My husband was gone,
And we talked about the love
that lay hidden all the years.

You never told me
How much you had loved me.
I never spoke of my dreams, 
Way back when we were young.
Childhood sweethearts.

We smile at youth's folly
and the misguided hearts
we had when we were young.
Somehow through it all,
we were friends.

Yet, we're both adults
So set in our ways.
The paths we had taken
ventured too far
to ever go back.

You'll marry again
You have someone new.
I share your joy
 yet admit a small sorrow
the one you chose was not me.

We're friends for life
we both agree. 
No matter where we are
Or where we go,
It's something that endures.

I know your soul,
And you know mine.
A friendship like ours,
Harboring love,
Lasts through all time.

Friends forever,
In heart and soul,
yet we are wise enough
 in our years to know.
"We" would never be.

I celebrate your joy,
Your newfound love,
and I love this life of mine, too.
Every challenge, every win
we'll talk and laugh and share.

I love you, my friend
and cherish the times
we laughed and kissed and cried.
You're in my heart and soul
for evermore.



NancyLee