Old friend, in our younger days we could br Race down this path, through these woods br Heels flung high, muscles astrain br To the redbud tree and back again. br We'd run even through the misty rain, br Through sputtering snow, wind tossed, br Through autumn leaves crisp with frost. br And then we'd sit upon the log to rest br Where the wild rabbit had her nest. br And then, not on any given day, br We just did not care to race, br But ambled along at a leisurely pace. br Paused to listen to the cat birds song, br The scolding of the blue jays br And watched the feisty squirrels at play. br Sometimes we would walk in bright moonglow br Where lacy shadows cast strange forms. br The gurgle of the creeks swift flow br Blended with the scurring of little feet br Of some wild creature we chanced to meet. br Oft times you'd sit, your head upon my knee br Your warm brown eyes aplead with me br For one short romp. but I could not go br For rheum-age had a grip of me. br Age dimmed your eyes with a cloudy haze, br And you no longer heard me call your name. br White crept into your all black hair br And your legs became stiff and lame br And we only walked on sunshine days. br For sixteen years we walked this lane br Down to the redbud tree and back again. br The redbud tree is gone. Felled by an icy storm br And now you are gone. Old age took you today. br This morning I found your cold, still form. br Sometime in the night you just slept away. br Old friend, my heart is heavy with sorrow br For I shall walk alone, come tomorrow. br But I can remember how we used to run br On strong young legs, just for fun br Down to and around the redbud tree br A very young dog and a younger me.