Days Gone By

At the time I was most a man I wished I were still a boy

Gentle the breeze that floats the air

across the years it moves my soul

Words so sweet, so gentle, and clear

melodies of love took their toll

 

A face from my past gazed at me

I had met these eyes once before

I recognized this sweet beauty

from far off to the distant door

 

Dropping by when I am weakest

lighting mysteries upon my breast

Playing melodies of love's heart

feeding the memories of my chest

 

I remember those laughing eyes

that had once stared back at me

No less the beauty decades since

in her face that child I could see

 

Aloof and careless with herself

walking high upon nature’s wine

She poured her beauty on my soul

no woman was ever so fine.

 

But oh the times of yesteryear

how they tasted divine like bliss

My mind a-wash in thoughts of her

longed for that first touch and kiss

 

Time seemed to have passed but moments

yet many years had seen much joy

At the time I felt most a man

I wished that I were still a boy

Author's Note

Written to commemorate the day I ran into my childhood sweetheart at a party Some 15 years later than I had last seen her as a child.

Reviews

[Astrid Hamilton]

THANK YOU.

I wish to thank you, from the depths of feeling hammocked in reverie of sweetness.
This poem was first read silently without Etta James's At Last in the background-
The first time I read it, I felt the most peace I have felt in a long time- just for coming across a stranger's poem but feeling enraptured by some certain unknown uncertain nostalgia of what it's like to be a child and see the world through a child's eyes, precious, a little girl is always dreaming of holding in her tiny palm the hand of a special boy who at that first rose blushing, only thinks upon his face as hers, at last, somewhere hovering above in Heaven's distant, and now close- dream.
This poem is surreal.
These lines brought tears to my eyes:

No less the beauty decades since
In her face the child I could see

...and then of course, rereading it a second time with the first of melody-
brought life to me.

THANK YOU.

[Shalini Dinesh]

Wonderful poem with lovely lines and smooth rhyme.... well written...

[Blossom]

I love this. it has such a beautiful melody and sense of calm. I love how you described her. this is something that I will always remember.

[sharonlee]

Filled with poignant memories...read like a love song...I really like this one as it touches a topic I too have written about...

[THE LOST ROSE]

Hello Tate, awesome poem. I understand why you won that contest. I enjoyed this write because I too have lived that memmory. Congrats!

[A.r. Bazian]

this is quite something!
so... renaissance... and monumental! the memory

[Sweet_pale_cacophony]

You write with emotions which are tender and palpable..i am lucky to be reading such a fine piece..thank you....for sharing...

[alison13]

this is an amazing write.. there's nothing more i can say. :)

[G. Marie"floating on an..]

every once in a while I find a gem amidst a sea of rocks. I found that gem in your poem the simple beauty in this poem outshines a thousand poems that I have read thank you for sharing this as it has touched my heart deeply!!!!

[Revolutionary]

I like this.and find the music and pic to be a genuine touch to the words.I only think you should change one line.Take young out of young boy.It flows better and we already know it is a young boy

[Avocations of Amber]

Bittersweet.....loved the last two lines...
Makes me think of elementary school love and love that lasts forever...
Very moving write.