The Place Poem by Howard Johnson

Under the shade
On the north side
Of an old Victorian home
There is a place

Chained from its roof
Is a simple swing
This swing created
The 'Place'
The place away from all chaos

While sitting there.......
Imagination can take you
To 'your place '

Once while I was sitting there
I let myself travel
To a day
That felt like it had no end..

I looked at that 'swing' now
Being pushed from side to side
By winds without time
Its loneliness makes me shed a tear.

There was a time
The swing and I
Were not alone
A day I still remember passionately
It had no end
The day darkened to night
Its end was only the light.
The sky changed
Weaved in colors of blues
Progressively going to black
Light of stars breaking through the darkness
The end of this day was only the beginning
Beside me
Was a fine lady
Fair and kind
Once upon a time
Her hand
grasped inside mine
Small and simple
This kind affection
Given to me

There came an end
To an endless day

That lady kind and fair
Said 'She was not there
For me

Today I will shed another tear
And another tear
For that lady dear

I will never forget
Sitting on that swing

Complications and commitments
Of life pulled her hand away from me

Thinking to myself
Was her hand really in mine
Once upon a time