A heart renewed, from memory’s visit,
When feeling ran strong with the pulse.
Ah, youth saw all things possible,
With joyous laughter did my soul convulse.
And, you with feeling did reciprocate,
A touching embrace and a squeeze.
Equality shared in rhythm’s beat.
A shy smile intended to fully please.
Years pass and the horizon changes.
Ah, age sees more with wide perspective,
A past idea had hidden flaws,
Memory’s contents are so selective.
Yet, strong feelings have a long call,
Now part of life’s memorabilia,
‘Tho missing much that’s tossed aside,
For nature has its own anaesthesia.
Francis Conlon is a retired and recovering teacher. For the past 20 years, he has worked as a seasonal river ranger and boat inspector at Yampa River State Park in northwest Colorado. He has published in the local Valley Voice and in Westward Quarterly. He currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.