Adieu Poem by Bryan Taplits

As one garners his years gazing on a life now 'not-what-was'
(For it was easy back then and 'oh, what a ride') ,
Where I traveled my best, but never alone,
For I had a steadfast companion near 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 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 soared-
blustering breezes signaling storms
Under Mike's sage advice I'd cast my ship forward-
dodging all life's retiring but snare ridden 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 (nestled 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, discernment and grace 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 knight,
And though I'll remain ever a knave, a serf and a slave-
Perhaps, yes! Still able! But no longer, anymore, as willing
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-
In timeless 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 still question in this blight,
Life's incomprehensible mazes, raging on its pages:
'Should I now go left or should I turn right'?
Yet on this sunny, sacred day-
this I conclusively can say
with tears but no hesitation of light:
''God Speed, my dear bro,
Dear friend, my dear friend,
And, to Michael, forever goodnight. ''
…
One day 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 always he did in my life-
Capably, and with devotion, will lead me on my way!