Near to Me

I quickly looked around

‘Cause, I thought I heard a sound.

But didn’t see anybody it could be

that was standing near to me.

As I was told,

I was only six months old

lying in the plane’s luggage rack

waiting for others to come back.

We were on our way

to a new country that day.

I quickly looked about

‘Cause, I thought I heard a shout.

But I couldn’t see my Mom or Dad

and that seemed really bad.

Without memories really clear

I tried to piece together my life for real.

It was at a time of strife

our family adjusting to a new life.

But it was too much for my Mom

as I could only suckle or suck my thumb.

So, to my relatives I was sent

with no idea how time was spent.

I quickly looked about

‘Cause, I thought I heard, “Get Out”.

But I couldn’t see anybody

that was standing near to me.

But I did see the smoke.

Tried to wake my bros with a poke.

Out onto the front lawn the others had gone.

We crawled on the floor to get to the door.

The Chimney had caught fire

The situation was dire

But these days we think only about

who was last of us to get out!

I quickly took a scan

‘Cause, I thought I heard a man.

But I didn’t see who it could be

that would be there helping me.

I was on a big tractor with harrows in tow

My Dad had promised to be there, if so

I would have any problems working the fields

Where corn would soon grow.

The tractor was up tight against a windrow

With only a few feet for me to go.

No turning back, I went hard to the right

I was worried about the harrows the tires might bite.

But all ended well as the daylight passed

Back home for dinner at last.

I quickly looked up from the game

‘Cause, I thought I heard my name.

But I didn’t see anybody it could be

that was out there cheering for me.

To win the game, was a bit of a shame

If no one was there to share the fame.

I worked at school and in the gym too.

To be fit as possible for whatever I was to do

When all was done, I was not with who won

But met true friends who were drinking for fun

It was easy to see how fun this was for me

As, once drinking, I no longer waited to see

Who had come to the game or pick up me?

I quietly looked around to see

‘Cause, I thought I heard a familiar name or two.

But I didn’t see anybody that I knew

that was standing in the room with me.

Always looking ahead to the next

Not worrying about what is best

Just get more, make more, take more

Till it all comes tumbling down to the floor

What have I done? Life was unmanageable!

Had no more redo buttons to push as if a game-table

Life’s consequences came home to rest

Now deal with the dirt as well as the best

I quietly looked down the hall

‘Cause, I thought I heard a call.

But I did not anybody see

that was waiting for me.

Been sober and clean as anyone could be

For over 35 years when all counted in you see

But was I a manic to have played the game so hard?

To win was much more rewarding than nard

but to enjoy the small pleasures from life’s little joys

As they came to us as little girls and boys.

We seem to live what we were taught

And teach what we can if not wrought

With guilt and fears about what we did

As an adult or even if a kid.

I quickly looked around

‘Cause, I thought I heard a sound.

But didn’t see who it could be

that was trying to be with me.

As the family settles into their lives

And we don’t care to share stories or lies

We drift apart as boats on the sea

With little in common except the parts we don’t agree

We keep looking around for something to show

What are lives meant to others or so we thought

To moving forward to a new drum.

where life they say will be one.

By Joe van Koeverden