I think of then as I force this pen
Into empty words of current ken
Of mice and men
And scores and ten


The man was a boy when he woke and cried
And I recall the night
When tiny arms lifted for rushing height
To bring slumber when tears had dried


No need was felt to plan his start
So I watched as he grew
Knowing of some compass needle dart
And point to site that drew


The boy was a man at a river place
Where he found passion'd grace
In forest of tall or stunted trees
In lashing heat or cooling breeze
In elephant walks
And kudu stalks
In eagle's soar
And lion's roar on the long grey greasy shore


It's where he was and chose to stay
Where he'd return after spell away
To 'rousal and spend's together lie
Under wide and cobalt sky


No one saw the shadow and no one spoke
Nor thought of hearts forever broke
In taste of his press from happy venture toil
Without trace yet of bitter foil


But as it will the shadow moved
And anguished folly proved
For what was and wasn't done
In that brief together run


But no point to portion blames
And wrong to see death as tort
For I cite myself amongst the guilty names
Though others too hear echo fade from life so short


Yet statement stands that he was ever rare
He'd shoot beasts down
And tell campfire stories as a crown
But now he isn't there

Still, what did remain did return to those spaces vast
When into wind and stream it all was cast
And though I know that life doesn't last
I pine for his laughter pass'd


His ashes scattered of course I grieve
Knowing that the place that was his love
Where now his spirit roams above
Was mere pause before the mortal leave


The man who was a boy in murder died
And I dwell on every why and how
Because I loved him once as I love him now
It's why I am to sorrow'd memory tied ...
That ghastly night it was I who cried
As I do, for my tears haven't dried