Old Friend Poem by Juan Olivarez

Hello old friend, it's been so long,
A whole calender year has passed.
You look well, exceedingly strong,
Since that day in July, that I saw you last.

The rain has been kind to you this year,
Your branches strong, your leaves so green.
And way up on your trunk, is that a tear?
Or, is that a dropp of rain, I've seen.


Has it really been twenty nine years,
Since you first came to live with me?
Together we've seen laughs and tears,
Since when you first, were a little tree.

In your shade I've dreamed at times,
Contented just to be with you.
There I sat and penciled rhymes,
While all around you, my children grew.

Well, I am back, I know I've been away too long.
Old friend in your shadow let me stay,
Give me a chance to right this wrong,
And talk to you of better times, at the ending of this day.

5/24/10 29 palms ca.