A friend may not be always there
but when trouble strikes, you know I care.
Although we live so far apart
our memories keep us close at heart.
Many summers ago, to our farm you came.
We laughed and played our childish games.
Do you remember the swing in the apple trees?
It was there we dreamed, in the summer breeze.
We ran through the meadow, down to the creek,
where we swam, made castles, and played hide-and-seek.
Our sand castles we built so they would stay,
but when we returned, they had washed away.
We went bare-foot, for many walks
and gathered bright and shiny rocks,
that were sugar or spice, when we played store.
We played house, we played ball, hop-scotch and more.
We went to bed, by a kerosene light,
and we often tried to talk all night
but soon we’d get tired, and fall asleep.
These cherished thoughts, I’ll always keep.
Too soon September came, and you went home.
I was sad that day, for I was alone.
But I always looked forward to another year,
more adventures and memories, to hold so dear.
Your friend,
~ Doris Whitbread
