One Last Look Back

When I was young I stood with my Mother,
On the platform with me were my sister and brother.
My Mother got on to the huge steaming train
And her children would ache to kiss her again.
We saw her moist eyes as she waved us goodbye,
So we didn’t upset her, we tried not to cry.

When I went to school for the very first time
I remember the sound of the clock chiming nine.
My Grandmother took me in clothes crisp and new
And shoes that would blister by half-past two.
I saw that her eyes, as she waved me goodbye,
Were moist as she smiled, so I tried not to cry.

When I asked my father, ‘Can I please stay out late?’
He wasn’t to know that his ‘Yes’ would create
A change to affect the rest of my life –
Months later my new love asked, ‘Please be my wife?’
As I walked down the aisle Dad’s heart swelled with pride;
As I said ‘I do’ we both tried not to cry.

At last, the dream home with a beautiful view,
A village and friendships that flourished and grew,
We hoped we could stay there throughout the years
Enjoy lots of laughter, or shed a few tears.

But fate would determine we just could not stay –
With the saddest of hearts this is all we could say,
‘With one last look back, we must say our goodbyes.’
Now there’s no holding back the tears in my eyes.