Today I say goodbye to you my friend
We've walked a long road together
Your journey has reached it's end.
You always said you were just an old bum
But I knew you were much more than that.

I saw how you cared about people and pretended not to.
When others had lost their way, you opened a door.
I saw you give your last dime, without a second thought.
And most times you wished you could have given more.

On a Sunday morning you would walk downtown
just to give an old wino enough
to get another drink to keep him going.
You worked hard for your money
but you gave it to those you thought needed it more.
Just another old bum..
that needed a helping hand or a shot of rum.

The 40 years I knew you, we shared life's laughter and tears.
Always in friendship we walked through those years.
Once I asked you why you never married or had children
You said..you never stayed in one place long enough.
You were just an old bum, and life was much too rough.

Sometimes you'd tell me stories about your life
and riding the rails of yesterday.
And I wondered how you lived through them..
those hard times, now so far away.

You were more than just an old bum to me and my family.
Life is never easy but it is much sweeter
if you have a friend to share the good times and the bad.
Your passing has left a void and made us sad.

I'll think of you
when ever I hear the lonesome sound of the midnight train.
And remember..
the old bum who was my friend in sunshine or rain.

R.D.Graves 2-3-1921
deceased 3-27-2005

Authors note:
When you lose a friend,
you've lost a treasure.
Take time to spend with the elderly.
They enrich your life with wisdom.

By Bonnie Ray
© 2005
Used with permission

My Heartfelt Thanks to Bonnie for sharing!

If you have enjoyed this poetic presentation tribute
Send her an email and let her know you were here.