Micky and me

Time was when we stretched the boundaries,
ran free, Micky and me;
darting in and out of consequence
as all kids do.

Years melted and I didn't see him again
until that night in the Red House pub;  
1998 from memory; although memories,
like boundaries, shrink with time.

He smiled, went through the motions,
then introduced me to Carol, his fiancee;
and I remember how, when he went
to the bar, she and I shared a look that said,
you knew him first, but I know him now.

Came closing time and we kissed; it was no
more than a peck on the cheek, though the
moment seemed to stretch to infinity and back;
then he was gone, taking with him
the promise of ten thousand tomorrows.

For some reason I read the obits today,
(an admittedly peculiar, but occasional
habit of mine), and Mickey's name, once
so joyously familiar, caught my eye.

It was just a few lines, about a life well led
but taken far too early; And with each word
I tasted the bittersweet ghost of regret
for all the years never met.

Carefully then, I set the paper aside,
wandered listless into the kitchen.
Made tea, cried a little; wondering
how long it might be before Micky and me
were stretching those boundaries again.

Reviews

[Taylor]

Beccy, as I've said before, I know little of poetry (and clod that I am, I don't usually like it). Awful admission, I know, and especially to a poet. However, perhaps against that background, what follows will be especially encouraging. I almost had chills going up my spine as I read through this poem and a tear staining my cheek as I recalled my own regrets about relationships not tended and then beyond the boundary of which you speak. Just a marvelous poem. You may convert me yet!

[writing mojo]

True love has no boundaries..at least that's what disney tells me .. if it helps, or isn't too soon.. i can tell you you have the memories forever to write him into your soul..no one can take that away..that's where passion peaks never end..sorry for your loss

[jacob erin-cilberto]

so sorry for your loss, Beccy....and yes, he is home for tea now, and maybe in the next life...you will have him, not her....because you were first, and often the first love is the best one...in my case that is true, although she married someone else...still the love of my life.

[icelandicblue]

This was truly touching. Lost moments, longing and the vagaries of time pass and we cannot go back. So often we hold onto our regrets but even in death we cling to hope. We humans are so complex and contradictory but hope binds us all.

[Terry O'Leary]

Beccy,
I wrote a couple of minutes ago that I don't like to read this 'real stuff'... I'm better at reading fiction, 'cause I know it's not real...
But because I read the other one about Micky, I had to read this one too...
I don't want to repeat myself, so I'll just say it's another splendid work!!
Terry

[Woody]

you have such a great knack, Beccy! you tell it in such a way that it goes straight to the heart.
absolutely fascinating.

[Terpsichore]

Extraordinary poem. Clearly this is from the heart, but you never descend to the maudlin, which makes the impact of your words all the more powerful.

'Stretching those boundaries again.' One day, but not too soon I trust. T

[terry smith]

there is nothing like the bitter taste of regret to keep you up at night....this is a wonderful expression of a road not taken.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

A very powerfully emotional write. Losing a loved one is never easy. Even when You haven't been together for years.

[Beccy]

Sami, Anto, Donald, thank you so much. Though I was no longer part of his immediate world, his passing has affected me deeply.

Beccy.