Now, she said, let us dismantle this tent
It served its purpose, it relieved my worst torment
So first the fabric, then the poles, wine toasting its end
Returned to storage as if nothing had ever happened

PART 17  GOODBYES

It was late now and we finished the lesser wine too
Both a bit tipsy, we sprawled in the bed, all askew
It was so different with no tent, unprotected we felt
So under the covers we crawled like children dealt

A hug and a kiss and we soon fell to sleep
Up at sunrise, refreshed, good feeling down deep
Morning things done, off to the barn for breakfast
A good crowd, all talking of a good life, now past

More couples arrived to join in what was said
And many we found had shared that old bed
It was a strange mixture of sadness and joy
Reunited again, she and her soldier boy

A reserved calmness between us now
More mature in thinking somehow
We were solidly one, no doubt about it
Our souls to each other we did fully commit

We stayed for the funeral in the old church near by
Like the talk at the restaurant, either smile or cry
Someone had an old photo from ages ago
A beautiful young girl and her handsome beau

Laid in the family plot; after her, one place unfilled
We went to see what of her house the wind had not killed
But county crews had already hauled the debris away
While a breeze blew fragments of old letters astray

Large oak logs cut for a sawyer to buy
On one, initials of lovers, a love that refused to die
The sawyer arrived, we talked as chains he applied
This tree fell, he said, killed an old woman inside

To the city now; the inn, but not memories, left behind
We had learned in that little town an insight into mankind
Only you know whether hate or love in your soul reside
Those two battle, but love will win if doubt be put aside

We occasionally return to the old burial ground
Two new stones had been installed we found
One for the old lady, one for her beau
They touch together lightly in their row