| Muses Review Mark Stellinga's Poetry |
---------------- Sample 6: Old Friends by Mark Stellinga Source: Phonetical Imagery (2004) #60 We simultaneously recognized the man was very frail. His weary eyes were tired, though clear, his skin was thin and pale. Our interrupted business soon was made aware of "why", This weak and feeble gentleman had come to say, "Goodbye". I felt a strong relationship that went back many years. I saw the understanding as their eyes welled up with tears. This man had stopped to celebrate a friendship long and true, And spend his farewell moments sharing thoughts, as old friends do. The soft and trembling words he spoke, they made me understand, This would be the last time this old man would shake his hand. "So, how the heck ya' been, my friend?" was all I heard him say. Then I excused myself and said, "I'll just be on my way." I knew they needed time alone, a chance to reminisce, and headed out the door to give the two some time for this. I tried hard to imagine just what types of things they'd say, As both men knew, most likely, this would be his final day. I think about that day a lot, about the way he walked, So crippled up and shaky, and the breathy way he talked. It struck me hard the way he was, the way it had to end, But most of all, I won't forget the way he loved his friend! |