Friendship (Inspired by Grace)

A weary old man with weathered hands sits to reminisce
Of times when things were simplified and fears did not exist
Bat and ball and overalls, a young man's first real date
9 to 5 the daily grind, at times he worked so late

His old friend Joe he knew him well before he passed away
"I'll see you Joe." He spoke the words upon his service day
A picture kept, a souvenir, Joe's dirty baseball cap
He shed a tear and wrinkled it, laying in his lap

The memories of growing old and strengthening the bond
Like that famous bowling match, and flirting with the blonde
Throwing rocks and camping trips and staying up all night
Wise remarks and ridicule to summon up a fight

He wiped his nose and found the sky to steady up his shakes
"Be good to him, you hear me lord?" "And keep him near some lakes!"
"We loved to fish" The old man howls as sun begins to shine
Warmth and breeze, the sound of birds, the scent of Douglass pine

Before him now he saw a face he hadn't seen in years
"I've missed ya Dan!" Joe says before he jokes about his tears
"Well I'll be damned!" The old man yells while staring at his hands
"They look like new!" And there he held a shiny baseball cap

The lakes are clear, and air is fresh, his promise he held true
To once again make mischief, and they made a new oath too
Never let the ladies know about their escapades
Of driving Lamborghinis in the southern Everglades

Or playing in a fighter jet in hostile foreign lands
Or talk about the Vegas week and wasted gambling plans
Soon the sound of women's voices chatter on the wind
The young men wink and carry on just like they always did

"My love, you are more beautiful than memories can hold"
The man remembered every day his wife had told him so
That once again, someday they'd meet and things would be ok
Their bonds were strong and 4 new friends now set off on the day