I Came Here One Time

        I Came Here One Time

I came here one time

With you

When I was only nine

We came to bring Johnny home

I, too young to really understand

And you, beyond any understanding

I have no real memory         

Of that day so long ago

But we left Johnny behind

I came here one time

With you

When I was a man grown

We brought your mother home

It was past her time

My memory of that day

Is of a song

She wanted someone she knew

To sing the song with the line

“I walk through the garden alone…”

And I remember the tears it brought

To my eyes

I came here one time

With you

When my hair was mostly gray

We came to search for a stone

That said “Daddy”      

And used to lay at the feet

Of your father

Who in my memory is not strong

“Who’s boy are you?” he’d ask

And grin

Gone so many years

I came here one time

With you

When my children were growing tall

We came to bring you home

I will always remember

The beautiful fall day

Where surrounded by our family

And friends from your youth

And the meadowlark singing

We left you

Home        

Where you always longed to be

I came here one time

With my daughter

That I named for you

She was only one       

When I brought you here

And I cried

Because she’ll have no memory

Of you

And of the love you had

To give

And I am left with my memory

Of when

I came here one time

With you

                            mfm

                         5 OCT 92

                        09:37 P.M.

                       Houston, TX