Adieu Poem by Bryan Taplits

As one garners his years gazing on a life of now-
not what was-
For it was easy back then and 'oh, what a ride,
When I traveled my best, but never alone,
For I had a steadfast companion by my side.
Yes, as one evolves one meets new weathered events-
Which are conquered and vanquished
as one tries his damn best,
Where every puzzling strong wind
leaves you whistling and wheezing
At another of life's checkered dread tests.
But one thing I do know (at least I figure it so)
My brother, tough mariner- taut sails re-casting in relief,
And though life's tides raged and roared-
blustering breezes, signaling storms-
Under Mike's sage advice I'd cast my ship forward-
dodging all life's retiring but snare hidden reefs.
By God's grace I escaped Doom-and calamities quite a few-
Yes, to the Lord I bow Thanks-
and to my brother, 'Thank you.'

Yes, true, one remembers all the rides- but each eventually abides
Causing tortured memories to efface all rising tides,
But I speak of them fondly-as 'rising tides' never would find me-
no matter the knots on Mike's hands that I tied.
And though now you are at rest (remembered in memories I know best)
I must now fight alone life's feisty foamed tides,
And I must do this in kind though I am missing a hot-line
Where your wisdom, grace, discernment all reside.
Sadly, only my memories can be ken'd sweet-
for no longer shall we meet-
And no longer will I ever be redeemed by a good night,
And though I'll remain ever a knave,
a serf and a slave-
Perhaps, yes! Still able!
But no longer, anymore, as eager
to fight.

It is recent I find that as one ages more than a bit
the muscles lag and no longer can they smite,
And all memories depart-or linger somewhere-
Below incertitude-
which then fades beneath the tombs of one's life.
But there is one barb that still digs deep
(of which I shall permanently weep) ,
And of it I'll always question this blight,
Life's incomprehensible mazes,
raging on both our pages:
'Should I go left now?
Or should I turn right'?
Yet on this sacred sunny day-
with 'hope' I still say
with tears- and no restitution of light,
''God Speed, my dear bro,
Dear friend,
my dear friend,
And to Michael, 'Forever goodnight'. '
…
Yes, one day all too soon
I'll also meet my doom
Whether it be by night or by day,
But I'm not afeared-
though my life indeed has been seared-
For I know that omnipresent Mike-
As he always did in my life-
Capably, and with foresight,
Will guide me forever on my way!