In Springtime Days

thirty years of friendship born

in springtime days of yestermorn

sustained beyond the school bell's chime

when 'fore us spread a wealth of time

next steps were taken in halting form

from school to work our days transformed

your studies kept you fully engaged

i started work at minimum wage

life seemed new–some freedom won

and i recall some days of fun

trips with friends to a glassy lake

boogie board risking transom's wake

but time is always marching on

toward an ever breaking dawn

we laboured for our daily bread

our eyes ne'er turned but stared ahead

raging storms left mournful grief

loved ones lost in a time too brief

and families turned upside down

marked youth's end and fixed a frown

along the way we sought to capture

via shutter speed and small aperture

nature–focused into pixels sharp

and friendship into finest art

no truer friend have i met

in my travels and circles yet

faithfully disposed and loyal who

shares both laughter and pensive too

so keep this note for years to come

lest one of us grows increasingly dumb

or memory fades into murky mist

when we’ll need this laundry list

thirty years later and here we are

friends who’ve known life’s boons and scars

here’s a toast to thirty more

when we’ll forget what’s gone before!

~e