THE LAST HANDSHAKE
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2022 10:17 am
In Memory of my old mate John
THE LAST HANDSHAKE
There’s a sadness that still haunts me as I mooch the streams of late
and the loneliness stays with me as I think about you mate.
All the magic has now gone; I’ve lost the urge to cast a fly,
for my heart’s no longer in it mate, no matter how I try.
And the years ahead look gloomy, but the memories will last,
as those twenty years of mateship slowly meld into the past.
Though I’m sure that you’ll be with me when it’s time to stroll again,
where the morning bushes sparkle with their dewdrops after rain.
And I know that you’ll be present; although keeping out of sight,
when the Caddis fly is hatching down at Harvey Dam each night.
Once the trout have started rising and are moving close to shore,
I’ll imagine you’re there with me as we fish the dry once more.
As the whisper of an east wind blowing gently through the trees,
starts to fade away to stillness with those final puffs of breeze.
I’ll be ready then to wander off along the mirrored shore,
half believing you'll be there mate like you always were before.
And I realize that I must move on; you can’t live in the past,
but I’ll hang on to the memories as long as they may last.
And I’ll not forget our last handshake, that took place from your bed,
when you knew the end was close old mate, although you never said.
Soon the forest will entice me with its beauty on display
and its dappled shade inviting on some future summer’s day.
When I hear that gentle trickle as a stream flows ever on,
happy memories will surface, of those days that are now gone.
©T.E. Piggott 2011
THE LAST HANDSHAKE
There’s a sadness that still haunts me as I mooch the streams of late
and the loneliness stays with me as I think about you mate.
All the magic has now gone; I’ve lost the urge to cast a fly,
for my heart’s no longer in it mate, no matter how I try.
And the years ahead look gloomy, but the memories will last,
as those twenty years of mateship slowly meld into the past.
Though I’m sure that you’ll be with me when it’s time to stroll again,
where the morning bushes sparkle with their dewdrops after rain.
And I know that you’ll be present; although keeping out of sight,
when the Caddis fly is hatching down at Harvey Dam each night.
Once the trout have started rising and are moving close to shore,
I’ll imagine you’re there with me as we fish the dry once more.
As the whisper of an east wind blowing gently through the trees,
starts to fade away to stillness with those final puffs of breeze.
I’ll be ready then to wander off along the mirrored shore,
half believing you'll be there mate like you always were before.
And I realize that I must move on; you can’t live in the past,
but I’ll hang on to the memories as long as they may last.
And I’ll not forget our last handshake, that took place from your bed,
when you knew the end was close old mate, although you never said.
Soon the forest will entice me with its beauty on display
and its dappled shade inviting on some future summer’s day.
When I hear that gentle trickle as a stream flows ever on,
happy memories will surface, of those days that are now gone.
©T.E. Piggott 2011