Just An Old Bum
Today I say goodbye to you my friend
We've walked a long road together
Your journey has reached it's end

(always the loner)

You always said you were
just an old bum
But I knew you were
much more than that
I saw how you cared about people
and pretended not to
When others had lost their way,
you opened a door
I saw you give some your last dime,
without a second thought.
And most times you wished
you could have given more.
On a sunday morning you
would walk downtown
just to give an old wino
enough to get another drink
to keep him going.
You worked hard for your money
but you gave it to those
you felt needed it more.
Just another old bum ..
that needed a helping hand
or a shot of rum.
The 40 years I knew you,
we shared lifes laughter and tears
always in friendship we walked
through those years.
Once I asked you why you
never married or had children
you said.. you never stayed
in one place long enough.
You were just an old bum,
and life was much to rough.
Sometimes you'd tell me
stories about your life
and riding the rails of yesterday.
And I wondered how
you lived through them..
those hard times,
now so far away.
You were more than
just an old bum to me,
and my family.
Life is never easy
but it is much sweeter
if you have a friend
to share the good
times and the bad..
Your passing has left
a void and made us sad.
I'll think of you whenever
I hear the lonesome sound
of the midnight train.
And remember..
he old bum who was
my friend in sunshine or rain.
R.D.Graves 2-3-1921
deceased 3-27-05

Authors note:
When you lose a friend,
you've lost a treasure.
Take time to spend with the elderly
they enrich your life with wisdom.
By Bonnie Ray
© 2005 Bonnie Ray (All rights reserved)
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May You always be covered by God's pure love!

Thank you for visiting me!

 

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