" I Remember When "

    " I Remember When "

I remember when, I was a boy,
I wanted to be a man.
They said "you will, when you grow up",
and so my journey began.

I hated school and all the jokes,
and cruel things said to me.
But dad said son, when you get older,
you'll look back and laugh with glee.

So dad's words made me feel so good,
I always knew he was right.
Until the next day, I'd hear them say,
we'll wait for you outside.

Well I made it through the school years,
and I made it through the war.
But back home again, it wasn't the same,
as it was in 1964.

Then I met a girl who stole my heart,
there was none like her in this world.
So we ran away and married one day,
and had us a boy and a girl.

But she got tired, and I worked too much,
trying to find that dream,
But there was no rainbows, nor pot of gold,
and a bad divorce, now fell on me.

So sad face I sat for many a night,
over a bottle and pictures I took.
And memories came flooding back,
my life was one real long book.

I began to smile as my mind drifted back,
to times and people once known.
Back to the old school yard, and the street,
to the place I once called home.

Over there lived Johnny, who threw the rock,
  that broke Mr. Johnson's window.
And over there we hid, under the stairs,
afraid to try to go home.

And down the street that first girl I met,
the one I took to the store.
It was my first date, ice cream and cake,
And a kiss when I reached her front door.

I remember when my dad told me
son, never forget who you are.
And remember when, you were the one,
that I said would always go far.

So I tossed the bottle and opened the shades,
and the light came pouring back in.
I laughed to myself and said,
thanks Dad, I do remember when.