Before I Poem by Paula M. Puddephatt

before I return the childhood memories
to their dusty
attic box
maybe I will write my
initials in the dust
just to let you know
PP woz ere

before I close the classroom
door once more
close not slam the door
this time around
since I am an adult now
and have no need any more
for slamming doors

but before I leave the
distant past
behind this time
I shall take one final backward glance
take a moment
to light a candle
in my mind
for two old friends
both of whom were
gone too soon