Drifting

Drifting along

all through life,

dodging the pains

the hurt and strife.

Surely in the beginning

happiness and joy,

in becoming a man

what became of the boy.

He had a family

mother and dad

of that I’m sure

he must have been glad.

He even had one

he called brother,

his one and only

but not another.

In the beginning

so young and naïve,

with no concept

of how to grieve.

There were pets

various dog and cat,

they made him laugh

nothing wrong with that.

There was love

surely it must be,

but little witnessed

and less to see.

Without a choice

only a silent vote,

thrust into school

such a shocking jolt.

With each year

more things to learn,

not knowing about dreams

or what to yearn.

There were losses

family and friend,

the hardest were those

that death did end.

Then came the war

acting like a drone,

missing his country

in Vietnam all alone.

Surviving with scars

apparent and hidden,

glad to be alive

while feeling guilt ridden.

Now a solitary man

trying to find his way

but something’s wrong

he’s no longer gay.

So lost but on he went

at last finding love,

that special woman

they fit like a glove.

But that too

was taken away,

alone once again

and he lost his way.

Now so aimless

lacking any direction,

simply surviving

using little discretion.

On the outside

he laughed and joked,

while the inner him

died and choked.

Now he’s much older

lost hopes and dreams,

wondering what’s wrong

nothing quite as is seems.

Slowly he must learn

to make the right motions,

to allow himself to

feel all the hidden emotions.

Drifting along

all through life,

dodging pains

hurt and strife.

Gary R. Cramer

September 20, 2019