The Runaway--A Poem

Remember me softly, on a noisy, hard day.

I remember the words you spoke, before you went away.

We waited at the window, watching for you.

But when word came that you’d run, our sorrow just grew.

Remember me softly, on a noisy, hard day.

I remember you softly, but no longer without edge.

And at night, I can still see your horse, riding into the hedge.

Mama gasped and she cried when she knew

That no longer would we be waiting for you.

The soldiers came to carry you away

and we told them that we hadn’t seen your for days,

which was true.

And from that day forward, I stopped waiting for you.

My friend, didn’t you know?

How it pained us to watch you go?

I still remember you softly, on noisy, hard days, but not without ache, and not without pain.

A bird said she’d heard the gunshots

a few miles away

And trust when I say,

that I remembered you especially well, that noisy, hard day.