Poem. Five decades, Plus

Five Decades Plus.

1
A friendship so valued from back in our teens
Elaine and I from a small town it seems
With our special group there was the Saturday night dance
We would never miss and would do our prance.

2
The only way there was a local bus
Going home a long walk, no problem to us
Sundays our lot would climb the mountain
Or maybe a walk through the lovely domain.

3
A secret language we compiled with skill
To talk back the front was our special drill
People would think that we were quite mad
But this was something that they never had.

4
Indoor basketball was held in the village hall
All us young folk just had a great ball
There were dances and trips to many other clubs
With competition games, there were no snubs.

5
Along came Alan, he charmed Elaine, she was the one
They married and moved away, our group was undone
Although it was hard we still kept in touch
Christmas and birthdays, special times as such.

6
With a friend we spent New Year in their home
Proud Elaine served a lovely ham on the bone
Alas with no fridge, the blowflies had sprayed
They did have a safe, but still the flies did their raid.

7
A card with a smiling pig I found
I added my thoughts of maggoty ham on the background
This card has travelled back and forth each year
For close to fifty it has brought much good cheer.

8
Now too fragile it has pride and place
With their daughter Annette it has been encased
A wonderful way to keep friendship alive
A pig story I have written, its memory will thrive.

9
Elaine has her collection of pigs about
All sizes and shapes inside and out
There’s a memory of those great early years
Which represents laughter and lots of good cheers

10
As time had passed I married Bernice and shared
Our usual family stresses but somehow we cared
Helped solve problems, some laughs, some sorrowed
Personalities of children, which can’t be borrowed.

11
We soon became grandparents with lots of pride
Sadly Bernice became ill, and soon died
Somehow our friendship grew, we watched our health
Memories are worth much more than wealth.

12
Elaine’s thimble collection, a pleasure for sure
I’ve added a few from many an overseas tour
Crystal or pewter, all shapes, styles a gem
Beautiful to admire, in display frames made for them

13
Now I’ve moved overseas with family I share
Our bond being old friends will always be there
Being senior citizens now with memories to match
Lots of great stories still hard to dispatch.

14
With wonders of phone and email alike shared
Help shorten the distance we’re not really cared
We just pray to God that there’s still lots of time
To enjoy our friendship while we’re still in our prime

Word Count 489