It's All in the Mind!

MAGPIE TALES
http://magpietales.blogspot.com/
supplied the ilustration.

IT'S ALL IN THE MIND!

Here, in the dusty cupboards of my past

Lie all the many things I've never done!

And riding on a sled through falling snow

Is, as I reconsider, such a one.

I've never perched upon that fragile steed,

High on a hill, and, gazing down below,

Observed the frozen pathway I must ride,

And muttered 'Do I really want to go?'

I've never forced myself to push away

And, overcoming fears, greet gravity

By launching my frail craft upon its way

Into a world of bright felicity.

I've never felt the glittering rush of wind

Assaulting my red cheeks as down I fly!

I've never clung on over dip and bounce

And felt the world of others streaming by!

I've never yelled with joy at risk and speed!

I've never clung on with such desperate verve!

I've never felt that overwhelming thrill

As the elements assault each tingling nerve!

Nor have I landed in a chortling heap

Among my friends who're waiting at the base,

And basked in that great feeling of success

Which nothing on this earth can quite replace.

So, since, in some ways, I have been deprived,

Do I feel that Fate has been a mite unkind?

Ah no! Because you see I ride my sleds

Here, in my ever-sledding mind!

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MIGRATION

1810

My son has left for America;

All night I have lain weeping.

Tossing and turning through the night

Without a thought of sleeping.

To think I'll no more see his face,

His voice I'll no more hear;

To think I'll never watch the door

And know that he'll appear!

The months will pass; there'll be no word.

I'll pray he has survived!

For weeks I'll wait to get the news

That at least he has arrived!

What if he marries over there

In a strange land far away!

I'll never see his wife or child

However much I pray!

And, if he dies, I'll never know!

So even now I mourn

For my lovely boy who's gone from me!

Why ever was he born!

My heart is like an Autumn leaf,

Dead and yet still existing!

The laughter's vanished from my life!

With tears my eyes are misting.

He's gone! A yawning gulf's been built

By my own son erected!

And I shall live till my dying day

Distraught and disconnected!

*

2010

My son has left for America.

He'll be working over there.

I felt a little teary

As the plane took to the air.

But, as he says, a hop and skip

Is all it takes these days

And we can all communicate

In so many different ways.

He'll text me when the plane arrives;

Should be any minute now.

And then I'll know the which and when

And where and who and how!

He's going to send an email;

I expect he'll attach some shots

Of all the places that he'll see;

All the really scenic spots.

I'm glad that we have both got Skype;

That means I'll see his face

And we can have a lengthy chat,

Sitting there, face to face.

I plan to take a trip in June;

Two months and then I'll leave.

And he's coming home for Christmas!

He'll arrive on New Years Eve.

It's great that we can keep in touch.

I'll never feel neglected.

The world has shrunk so very small

We're no more disconnected.

*

 
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